Galatians 5:1-15

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Freedom of the Christian

5 Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm^(A) then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.^{(B) 2} Take note! I, Paul, tell you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. ³ Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to keep the entire law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.^{(C) 5} For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait^(D) for the hope^(E) of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith^(F) working through love.^(G)

⁷ You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?^{(H) 8} This persuasion did not come from the One who called you.^{(I) 9} A little yeast leavens the whole lump of dough. ¹⁰ I have confidence in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.^{(J) 11} Now brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross^(K) has been abolished. ¹² I wish those who are disturbing you might also get themselves castrated!

¹³ For you were called^(L) to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled^(M) in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.^{(N)[a] 15} But if you bite and devour^(O) one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.