Book 48 Galatians 001:001 Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), 001:002 and all the brothers{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: 001:003 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, 001:004 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father— 001:005 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 001:006 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different "good news"; 001:007 and there isn't another "good news." Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ. 001:008 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any "good news" other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. 001:009 As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any "good news" other than that which you received, let him be cursed. 001:010 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn't be a servant of Christ. 001:011 But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. 001:012 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. 001:013 For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it. 001:014 I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 001:015 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, 001:016 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn't immediately confer with flesh and blood, 001:017 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus. 001:018 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days. 001:019 But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord's brother. 001:020 Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I'm not lying. 001:021 Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 001:022 I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ, 001:023 but they only heard: "He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy." 001:024 And they glorified God in me. 002:001 Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. 002:002 I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 002:003 But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 002:004 This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; 002:005 to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you. 002:006 But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn't show partiality to man)—they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me, 002:007 but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcision 002:008 (for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles); 002:009 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision. 002:010 They only asked us to remember the poor—which very thing I was also zealous to do. 002:011 But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned. 002:012 For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 002:013 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 002:014 But when I saw that they didn't walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do? 002:015 "We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners, 002:016 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. 002:017 But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not! 002:018 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker. 002:019 For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God. 002:020 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. 002:021 I don't make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!" 003:001 Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as crucified? 003:002 I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 003:003 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh? 003:004 Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain? 003:005 He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 003:006 Even as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." 003:007 Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are children of Abraham. 003:008 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you all the nations will be blessed."{Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:18} 003:009 So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. 003:010 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who doesn't continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them."{Deuteronomy 27:26} 003:011 Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, "The righteous will live by faith."{Habakkuk 2:4} 003:012 The law is not of faith, but, "The man who does them will live by them."{Leviticus 18:5} 003:013 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,"{Deuteronomy 21:23} 003:014 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 003:015 Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it. 003:016 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn't say, "To seeds," as of many, but as of one, "To your seed,"{Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 24:7} which is Christ. 003:017 Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. 003:018 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise. 003:019 What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. 003:020 Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one. 003:021 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law. 003:022 But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 003:023 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 003:024 So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 003:025 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 003:026 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 003:027 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 003:028 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 003:029 If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise. 004:001 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all; 004:002 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. 004:003 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. 004:004 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, 004:005 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children. 004:006 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba,{Abba is a Greek spelling for the Aramaic word for "Father" or "Daddy" used in a familiar, respectful, and loving way.} Father!" 004:007 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 004:008 However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods. 004:009 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again? 004:010 You observe days, months, seasons, and years. 004:011 I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you. 004:012 I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong, 004:013 but you know that because of weakness of the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time. 004:014 That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn't despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 004:015 What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 004:016 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 004:017 They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them. 004:018 But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you. 004:019 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you— 004:020 but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. 004:021 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don't you listen to the law? 004:022 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the free woman. 004:023 However, the son by the handmaid was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise. 004:024 These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. 004:025 For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children. 004:026 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 004:027 For it is written, "Rejoice, you barren who don't bear. Break forth and shout, you that don't travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband."{Isaiah 54:1} 004:028 Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 004:029 But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 004:030 However what does the Scripture say? "Throw out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid will not inherit with the son of the free woman."{Genesis 21:10} 004:031 So then, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free woman. 005:001 Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 005:002 Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. 005:003 Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 005:004 You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace. 005:005 For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. 005:006 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love. 005:007 You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth? 005:008 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 005:009 A little yeast grows through the whole lump. 005:010 I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 005:011 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed. 005:012 I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off. 005:013 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. 005:014 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."{Leviticus 19:18} 005:015 But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don't consume one another. 005:016 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh. 005:017 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. 005:018 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 005:019 Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 005:020 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 005:021 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 005:022 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,{or, faithfulness} 005:023 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 005:024 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 005:025 If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit. 005:026 Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another. 006:001 Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted. 006:002 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 006:003 For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 006:004 But let each man test his own work, and then he will take pride in himself and not in his neighbor. 006:005 For each man will bear his own burden. 006:006 But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches. 006:007 Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 006:008 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 006:009 Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up. 006:010 So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith. 006:011 See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand. 006:012 As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 006:013 For even they who receive circumcision don't keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. 006:014 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 006:015 For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 006:016 As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God's Israel. 006:017 From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body. 006:018 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

THE END