Galatians 3:13-24

English Standard Version

¹³ Christ ^(A)redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ^(B)“Cursed is everyone who is hanged ^(C)on a tree”— ¹⁴ so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might ^(D)come to the Gentiles, so that ^(E)we might receive ^(F)the promised Spirit^[a] through faith.

The Law and the Promise

^15 (G)To give a human example, brothers:^{[b] (H)}even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. ¹⁶ Now ^(I)the promises were made ^(J)to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, ^(K)“And to your offspring,” who is Christ. ¹⁷ This is what I mean: the law, which came ^(L)430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as ^(M)to make the promise void. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but ^(N)God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

¹⁹ Why then the law? ^(O)It was added because of transgressions, ^(P)until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was ^(Q)put in place through angels ^(R)by an intermediary. ²⁰ Now ^(S)an intermediary implies more than one, but ^(T)God is one.

²¹ Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For ^(U)if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. ²² But the Scripture ^(V)imprisoned everything under sin, so that ^(W)the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given ^(X)to those who believe.

²³ Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, ^(Y)imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. ²⁴ So then, ^(Z)the law was our ^(AA)guardian until Christ came, ^(AB)in order that we might be justified by faith.