Help Each Other

6 My friends, you are spiritual. So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path. But watch out, and don't be tempted yourself. ² You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand.

³ If you think you are better than others, when you really aren't, you are wrong. ⁴ Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don't compare yourself with others. ⁵ We each must carry our own load.

⁶ Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said.

⁷ You cannot fool God, so don't make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant. ⁸ If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life. ⁹ Don't get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don't give up. ¹⁰ We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord.

Final Warnings

¹¹ You can see what big letters I make when I write with my own hand.

¹² Those people who are telling you to get circumcised are only trying to show how important they are. And they don't want to get into trouble for preaching about the cross of Christ. ¹³ They are circumcised, but they don't obey the Law of Moses. All they want is to brag about having you circumcised. ¹⁴ But I will never brag about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his cross, the world is dead as far as I am concerned, and I am dead as far as the world is concerned.

¹⁵ It doesn't matter if you are circumcised or not. All that matters is that you are a new person.

¹⁶ If you follow this rule, you will belong to God's true people. God will treat you with undeserved kindness and will bless you with peace.

^17 (A) On my own body are scars that prove I belong to Christ Jesus. So I don't want anyone to bother me anymore.

¹⁸ My friends, I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you! Amen.