Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(A) Stand firm,^(B) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(C)

² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised,^(D) Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.^{(E) 4} You who are trying to be justified by the law^(F) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.^{(G) 5} For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.^{(H) 6} For in Christ Jesus^(I) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.^(J) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.^(K)

⁷ You were running a good race.^(L) Who cut in on you^(M) to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^{(N) 9} “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”^{(O) 10} I am confident^(P) in the Lord that you will take no other view.^(Q) The one who is throwing you into confusion,^(R) whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?^(S) In that case the offense^(T) of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those agitators,^(U) I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.^(V) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a];^(W) rather, serve one another^(X) humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[b](Y) 15} If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit,^(Z) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.^{(AA) 17} For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.^(AB) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[c] you want.^{(AC) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit,^(AD) you are not under the law.^(AE)

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,^(AF) impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.^(AG) I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.^(AH)

²² But the fruit^(AI) of the Spirit is love,^(AJ) joy, peace,^(AK) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control.^(AL) Against such things there is no law.^{(AM) 24} Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh^(AN) with its passions and desires.^{(AO) 25} Since we live by the Spirit,^(AP) let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited,^(AQ) provoking and envying each other.

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit^(AR) should restore^(AS) that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.^{(AT) 3} If anyone thinks they are something^(AU) when they are not, they deceive themselves.^{(AV) 4} Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,^(AW) without comparing themselves to someone else,^{(AX) 5} for each one should carry their own load.^{(AY) 6} Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.^(AZ)

⁷ Do not be deceived:^(BA) God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.^{(BB) 8} Whoever sows to please their flesh,^(BC) from the flesh will reap destruction;^(BD) whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.^{(BE) 9} Let us not become weary in doing good,^(BF) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.^{(BG) 10} Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good^(BH) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family^(BI) of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

¹¹ See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!^(BJ)

¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh^(BK) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.^(BL) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted^(BM) for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,^(BN) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.^{(BO) 14} May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(BP) through which^[d] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.^{(BQ) 15} Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;^(BR) what counts is the new creation.^{(BS) 16} Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to^[e] the Israel of God.

¹⁷ From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks^(BT) of Jesus.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ^(BU) be with your spirit,^(BV) brothers and sisters. Amen.