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2 Corinthians 11 - Galatians 6
New American Standard Bible

Paul Defends His Apostleship

11 I wish that you would (A)bear with me in a little (B)foolishness; but [a]indeed you are bearing with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I (C)betrothed you to one husband, to (D)present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that, as the (E)serpent deceived Eve by his trickery, your minds will be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if [b]one comes and preaches (F)another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a (G)different spirit which you have not received, or a (H)different gospel which you have not accepted, this you (I)tolerate (J)very well! 5 For I consider myself (K)not in the least inferior to the [c]most eminent apostles. 6 But even if I am (L)unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in (M)knowledge; in fact, in every way we have (N)made this evident to you in all things.

7 Or (O)did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the (P)gospel of God to you (Q)without charge? 8 I robbed other churches by (R)taking wages from them to serve you; 9 and when I was present with you and was in need, I was (S)not a burden to anyone; for when (T)the brothers came from (U)Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from (V)being a burden to you, [d]and will continue to do so. 10 (W)As the truth of Christ is in me, (X)this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of (Y)Achaia. 11 Why? (Z)Because I do not love you? (AA)God knows that I do!

12 But what I am doing I will also continue to do, (AB)so that I may eliminate the opportunity from those who want an opportunity to be [e]regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. 13 For such men are (AC)false apostles, (AD)deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even (AE)Satan disguises himself as an (AF)angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, (AG)whose end will be according to their deeds.

16 (AH)Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little. 17 What I am saying, I am not saying [f](AI)as the Lord would, but as (AJ)in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Since (AK)many boast (AL)according to the flesh, I will boast also. 19 For you, (AM)being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. 20 For you tolerate it if anyone (AN)enslaves you, if anyone (AO)devours you, if anyone (AP)takes advantage of you, if anyone (AQ)exalts himself, if anyone (AR)hits you in the face. 21 To my (AS)shame I must say that we have been (AT)weak by comparison.

But in whatever respect anyone else (AU)is bold—I am (AV)speaking in foolishness—I too am bold. 22 Are they (AW)Hebrews? (AX)So am I. Are they (AY)Israelites? (AZ)So am I. Are they [g](BA)descendants of Abraham? (BB)So am I. 23 Are they (BC)servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in (BD)far more labors, in (BE)far more imprisonments, [h](BF)beaten times without number, often in danger of (BG)death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews (BH)thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was (BI)beaten with rods, once I was (BJ)stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my (BK)countrymen, dangers from the (BL)Gentiles, dangers in the (BM)city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among (BN)false brothers; 27 I have been in (BO)labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in (BP)hunger and thirst, often (BQ)without food, in cold and [i](BR)exposure. 28 Apart from such [j]external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for (BS)all the churches. 29 Who is (BT)weak without my being weak? Who is [k]led into sin [l]without my intense concern?

30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my (BU)weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, (BV)He who is blessed forever, (BW)knows that I am not lying. 32 In (BX)Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was (BY)guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, 33 and I was let down in a basket (BZ)through a window [m]in the wall, and so escaped his hands.

Paul’s Vision

12 (CA)Boasting is necessary, though it is not beneficial; but I will go on to visions and (CB)revelations [n]of the Lord. 2 I know a man (CC)in Christ, who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, (CD)God knows—such a man was (CE)caught up to the (CF)third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, (CG)God knows— 4 was (CH)caught up into (CI)Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5 (CJ)In behalf of such a man I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except regarding my (CK)weaknesses. 6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be (CL)foolish, (CM)for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

A Thorn in the Flesh

7 Because of the extraordinary greatness of the (CN)revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a (CO)thorn in the flesh, a (CP)messenger of Satan to [o]torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord (CQ)three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for (CR)power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather (CS)boast [p]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore (CT)I delight in weaknesses, in [q]insults, in (CU)distresses, in (CV)persecutions, in (CW)difficulties, (CX)in behalf of Christ; for (CY)when I am weak, then I am strong.

11 I have become (CZ)foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, since I was (DA)in no respect inferior to the [r]most eminent apostles, even though (DB)I am a nobody. 12 The (DC)distinguishing marks [s]of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by [t]signs, wonders, and [u]miracles. 13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that (DD)I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me (DE)this wrong!

14 Here (DF)for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I (DG)will not be a burden to you; for I (DH)do not seek what is yours, but (DI)you; for (DJ)children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but (DK)parents for their children. 15 I will (DL)most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If (DM)I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But be that as it may, I (DN)did not burden you myself; nevertheless, devious person that I am, I (DO)took you in by deceit. 17 (DP)Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? 18 I (DQ)urged (DR)Titus to go, and I sent (DS)the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not [v]conduct ourselves [w]in the same (DT)spirit and walk (DU)in the same steps?

19 All this time [x]you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, (DV)it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and (DW)all for building you up, (DX)beloved. 20 For I am afraid that perhaps (DY)when I come I may find you to be not what I wish, and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be (DZ)strife, jealousy, (EA)angry tempers, (EB)selfishness, (EC)slanders, (ED)gossip, (EE)arrogance, (EF)disturbances; 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have (EG)sinned in the past and not repented of the (EH)impurity, sexual immorality, and indecent behavior which they have practiced.

Examine Yourselves

13 (EI)This is the third time that I am coming to you. (EJ)On the [y]testimony of two or three witnesses every matter shall be confirmed. 2 I have previously said when I was present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have (EK)sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that (EL)if I come again I will not (EM)spare anyone, 3 since you are (EN)seeking proof of the (EO)Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak toward you, but (EP)mighty in you. 4 For indeed He was (EQ)crucified because of weakness, yet He lives (ER)because of the power of God. For we too are (ES)weak [z]in Him, yet (ET)we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

5 (EU)Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; (EV)examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you [aa](EW)fail the test? 6 But I expect that you will realize that we ourselves [ab]do not fail the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong; not so that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, though we may [ac]appear unapproved. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are (EX)weak, but you are strong; this we also pray for, [ad]that you (EY)become mature. 10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present (EZ)I need not use (FA)severity, in accordance with the (FB)authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

11 (FC)Finally, brothers and sisters, [ae]rejoice, (FD)mend your ways, be comforted, (FE)be like-minded, (FF)live in peace; and (FG)the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 (FH)Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 (FI)All the [af]saints greet you.

14 (FJ)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the (FK)love of God, and the (FL)fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Introduction

1 Paul, (FM)an apostle ((FN)not sent from men nor through human agency, but (FO)through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who (FP)raised Him from the dead), 2 and all (FQ)the brothers who are with me,

To (FR)the churches of Galatia:

3 (FS)Grace to you and peace from [ag]God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who (FT)gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from (FU)this present evil [ah]age, according to the will of (FV)our God and Father, 5 (FW)to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.

Distortion of the Gospel

6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting (FX)Him who called you [ai]by the grace of Christ, for a (FY)different gospel, 7 which is not just another account; but there are some who are (FZ)disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or (GA)an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be [aj](GB)accursed! 9 As we (GC)have said before, even now I say again: (GD)if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be [ak](GE)accursed!

10 For am I now (GF)seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a (GG)bond-servant of Christ.

Paul Defends His Ministry

11 For (GH)I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was preached by me is (GI)not [al]of human invention. 12 For (GJ)I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a (GK)revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of (GL)my former way of life in Judaism, how I (GM)used to persecute (GN)the church of God beyond measure and (GO)tried to destroy it; 14 and I (GP)was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my [am]countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my (GQ)ancestral traditions. 15 But when [an]He who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and (GR)called me through His grace was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might (GS)preach Him among the Gentiles, (GT)I did not immediately consult with [ao](GU)flesh and blood, 17 (GV)nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to (GW)Damascus.

18 Then (GX)three years later I went up (GY)to Jerusalem to [ap]become acquainted with [aq](GZ)Cephas, and stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 But I did not see another one of the apostles except [ar](HA)James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now in what I am writing to you, [as]I assure you (HB)before God that I am not lying.) 21 Then (HC)I went into the regions of (HD)Syria and (HE)Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown by [at]sight to (HF)the churches of Judea which are (HG)in Christ; 23 but they only kept hearing, “The man who once persecuted us is now preaching (HH)the faith which he once (HI)tried to destroy.” 24 And they (HJ)were glorifying God [au]because of me.

The Council at Jerusalem

2 Then after an interval of fourteen years I (HK)went up again to Jerusalem with (HL)Barnabas, taking (HM)Titus along also. 2 [av]It was because of a (HN)revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the (HO)gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that somehow I might be (HP)running, or had run, in vain. 3 But not even (HQ)Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was (HR)compelled to be circumcised. 4 Yet it was a concern because of the (HS)false brothers secretly brought in, who (HT)had sneaked in to spy on our (HU)freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to (HV)enslave us. 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them, even for an hour, so that (HW)the truth of the gospel would remain with you. 6 But from those who [aw]were of considerable (HX)repute (what they were makes no difference to me; (HY)God shows no favoritism)—well, those who were of repute contributed nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been (HZ)entrusted with the (IA)gospel [ax]to the uncircumcised, just as (IB)Peter had been [ay]to the circumcised 8 (for He who was at work for Peter in his (IC)apostleship [az]to the circumcised was at work for me also to the Gentiles), 9 and recognizing (ID)the grace that had been given to me, [ba](IE)James and [bb](IF)Cephas and John, who were (IG)reputed to be (IH)pillars, gave to me and (II)Barnabas the (IJ)right [bc]hand of fellowship, so that we might (IK)go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor—(IL)the very thing I also was eager to do.

Peter (Cephas) Opposed by Paul

11 But when (IM)Cephas came to (IN)Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he [bd]stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of some men from [be](IO)James, he used to (IP)eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, (IQ)fearing those from the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even (IR)Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they (IS)were not [bf]straightforward about (IT)the truth of the gospel, I said to (IU)Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, (IV)live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?[bg]

15 “We are (IW)Jews by nature and not (IX)sinners from the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless, knowing that (IY)a person is not justified by works of [bh]the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by (IZ)faith in Christ and not by works of [bi]the Law; since (JA)by works of [bj]the Law no [bk]flesh will be justified. 17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found (JB)sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? [bl](JC)Far from it! 18 For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I (JD)prove myself to be a wrongdoer. 19 For through [bm]the Law I (JE)died to [bn]the Law, so that I might live for God. 20 I have been (JF)crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but (JG)Christ lives in me; and [bo]the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in (JH)the Son of God, who (JI)loved me and (JJ)gave Himself up for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for (JK)if righteousness comes through [bp]the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

Faith Brings Righteousness

3 [bq]You foolish (JL)Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ (JM)was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of [br]the Law, or by (JN)hearing [bs]with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun [bt]by the Spirit, are you now [bu]being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you [bv]suffer so many things in vain—(JO)if indeed it was in vain? 5 So then, does He who (JP)provides you with the Spirit and (JQ)works [bw]miracles among you, do it by works of [bx]the Law, or by (JR)hearing [by]with faith?

6 Just as (JS)Abraham (JT)believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. 7 Therefore, recognize that (JU)it is those who are of faith who are (JV)sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God [bz]would justify the [ca]Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “(JW)All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then, (JX)those who are of faith are blessed with [cb]Abraham, the believer.

10 For all who are of works of [cc]the Law are under a curse; for it is written: “(JY)Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things written in the book of the Law, to do them.” 11 Now, that (JZ)no one is justified [cd]by [ce]the Law before God is evident; for, “[cf](KA)the righteous one will live by faith.” 12 [cg]However, the Law is not [ch]of faith; on the contrary, “(KB)The person who performs [ci]them will live by [cj]them.” 13 Christ (KC)redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “(KD)Cursed is everyone who hangs on (KE)a [ck]tree”— 14 in order that (KF)in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we (KG)would receive (KH)the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Intent of the Law

15 (KI)Brothers and sisters, (KJ)I speak [cl]in terms of human relations: (KK)even though it is only a man’s [cm]covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds [cn]conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken (KL)to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “(KM)And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came (KN)430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For (KO)if the inheritance is [co]based on law, it is no longer [cp]based on a promise; but (KP)God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

19 (KQ)Why the Law then? It was added on account of the [cq]violations, having been (KR)ordered through angels (KS)at the hand of a [cr]mediator, until (KT)the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now (KU)a mediator is not [cs]for one party only; but God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? [ct](KV)Far from it! For (KW)if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness [cu]would indeed have been [cv]based on law. 22 But the Scripture has (KX)confined [cw]everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23 But before faith came, [cx]we were kept in custody under the Law, (KY)being confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our [cy](KZ)guardian to lead us to Christ, so that (LA)we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a [cz](LB)guardian. 26 For you are all (LC)sons and daughters of God through faith in (LD)Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were (LE)baptized into Christ have (LF)clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 (LG)There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is [da]neither male nor female; for (LH)you are all one in (LI)Christ Jesus. 29 And if (LJ)you [db]belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s [dc]descendants, heirs according to (LK)promise.

Sonship in Christ

4 Now I say, as long as the heir is a [dd]child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is [de]owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and [df]managers until the [dg]date set by the father. 3 So we too, when we were children, were held (LL)in bondage under the [dh](LM)elementary principles of the world. 4 But when (LN)the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, (LO)born of a woman, born (LP)under [di]the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under [dj]the Law, that we might receive the adoption as (LQ)sons and daughters. 6 Because you are sons, (LR)God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “(LS)Abba! [dk]Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and (LT)if a son, then an heir [dl]through God.

8 However at that time, (LU)when you did not know God, you were (LV)slaves to (LW)those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be (LX)known by God, (LY)how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless [dm](LZ)elementary principles, to which you want to be enslaved all over again? 10 You (MA)meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored [dn]over you in vain.

12 I beg of you, (MB)brothers and sisters, (MC)become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; 13 but you know that it was because of a [do]bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the [dp]first time; 14 and you did not despise that which was a trial to you in my [dq]bodily condition, nor express contempt, but (MD)you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. 15 Where then is [dr]that sense of blessing you had? For I testify about you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So have I become your enemy (ME)by [ds]telling you the truth? 17 They eagerly seek you, not [dt]in a commendable way, but they want to shut you out so that you will seek them. 18 But it is good always to be eagerly sought [du]in a commendable way, and (MF)not only when I am present with you. 19 (MG)My children, with whom (MH)I am again in labor until (MI)Christ is formed in you— 20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone of voice, for (MJ)I am at a loss about you!

Slave and Free

21 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not (MK)listen to the Law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, (ML)one by the slave woman and (MM)one by the free woman. 23 But (MN)the son by the slave woman [dv]was born according to the flesh, and (MO)the son by the free woman through the promise. 24 [dw](MP)This is speaking allegorically, for these women are two covenants: one coming from (MQ)Mount Sinai giving birth to children [dx]who are to be (MR)slaves; [dy]she is Hagar. 25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is enslaved with her children. 26 But (MS)the Jerusalem above is free; [dz]she is our mother. 27 For it is written:

“(MT)Rejoice, infertile one, you who do not give birth;
Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor;
For the children of the desolate one are more numerous
Than those of the one who has a husband.”

28 And you, brothers and sisters, (MU)like Isaac, are (MV)children of promise. 29 But as at that time (MW)the son who was born according to the flesh (MX)persecuted the one who was born according to the Spirit, (MY)so it is even now. 30 But what does the Scripture say?

“(MZ)Drive out the slave woman and her son,
For (NA)the son of the slave woman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.”

31 So then, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave woman, but of the free woman.

Follow the Spirit

5 (NB)It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore (NC)keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a (ND)yoke of slavery.

2 Look! I, (NE)Paul, tell you that if you have yourselves (NF)circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I (NG)testify again to every man who has himself (NH)circumcised, that he is obligated to (NI)keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who [ea]are seeking to be justified by the [eb]Law; you have (NJ)fallen from grace. 5 For we, [ec]through the Spirit, [ed]by faith, are (NK)waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in (NL)Christ Jesus (NM)neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but (NN)faith working through love.

7 You were (NO)running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion did not come from (NP)Him who calls you. 9 (NQ)A little [ee]leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10 (NR)I have confidence [ef]in you in the Lord, that you (NS)will adopt no other view; but the one who is (NT)disturbing you will bear the punishment, whoever he is. 11 But as for me, brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still (NU)persecuted? Then (NV)the stumbling block of the cross has been eliminated. 12 I wish that (NW)those who are troubling you would even [eg](NX)emasculate themselves.

13 For you were called to (NY)freedom, brothers and sisters; (NZ)only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but (OA)serve one another through love. 14 For (OB)the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “(OC)You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you (OD)bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

16 But I say, (OE)walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out (OF)the desire of the flesh. 17 For (OG)the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, (OH)in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. 18 But if you are (OI)led by the Spirit, (OJ)you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: (OK)sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, (OL)witchcraft, hostilities, (OM)strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, (ON)selfish ambition, dissensions, (OO)factions, 21 envy, (OP)drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not (OQ)inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But (OR)the fruit of the Spirit is (OS)love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, (OT)self-control; against such things (OU)there is no law. 24 Now those who [eh]belong to (OV)Christ Jesus (OW)crucified the flesh with its passions and (OX)desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow (OY)the Spirit as well. 26 Let’s not become (OZ)boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Bear One Another’s Burdens

6 (PA)Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are (PB)spiritual are to (PC)restore such a person (PD)in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. 2 (PE)Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill (PF)the law of Christ. 3 For (PG)if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must (PH)examine his own work, and then he will have reason for (PI)boasting, but [ei]to himself alone, and not [ej]to another. 5 For (PJ)each one will bear his own load.

6 (PK)The one who is taught (PL)the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 (PM)Do not be deceived, (PN)God is not mocked; for (PO)whatever a person sows, this he will also reap. 8 (PP)For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap (PQ)destruction from the flesh, but (PR)the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 (PS)Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we (PT)do not become weary. 10 So then, [ek](PU)while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the (PV)household of (PW)the faith.

11 See with what large letters I have written to you (PX)with my own hand! 12 All who want (PY)to make a good showing in the flesh try to (PZ)compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they (QA)will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who [el]are circumcised do not even (QB)keep [em]the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may (QC)boast in your flesh. 14 But (QD)[en]far be it from me to boast, (QE)except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, (QF)through [eo]which the world has been crucified to me, and (QG)I to the world. 15 For (QH)neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a (QI)new [ep]creation. 16 And all who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the (QJ)Israel of God.

17 From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the [eq](QK)marks of Jesus.

18 (QL)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be (QM)with your spirit, (QN)brothers and sisters. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 11:1 Or do indeed bear with me
  2. 2 Corinthians 11:4 Lit the one who comes preaches
  3. 2 Corinthians 11:5 Or super-apostles
  4. 2 Corinthians 11:9 Lit and I will keep
  5. 2 Corinthians 11:12 Lit found
  6. 2 Corinthians 11:17 Lit in accordance with the Lord
  7. 2 Corinthians 11:22 Lit seed
  8. 2 Corinthians 11:23 Lit exceedingly in blows
  9. 2 Corinthians 11:27 Lit nakedness; i.e., lack of clothing
  10. 2 Corinthians 11:28 Or the things unmentioned
  11. 2 Corinthians 11:29 Lit made to stumble
  12. 2 Corinthians 11:29 Lit and I do not burn
  13. 2 Corinthians 11:33 Lit through
  14. 2 Corinthians 12:1 Or from
  15. 2 Corinthians 12:7 Lit beat
  16. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Lit in
  17. 2 Corinthians 12:10 Or mistreatment
  18. 2 Corinthians 12:11 Or super-apostles
  19. 2 Corinthians 12:12 Lit of the apostle
  20. 2 Corinthians 12:12 Or confirming miracles
  21. 2 Corinthians 12:12 Or works of power
  22. 2 Corinthians 12:18 Lit walk
  23. 2 Corinthians 12:18 Or by the same Spirit
  24. 2 Corinthians 12:19 Or have you been thinking...?
  25. 2 Corinthians 13:1 Lit mouth
  26. 2 Corinthians 13:4 One early ms with Him
  27. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Lit are unapproved
  28. 2 Corinthians 13:6 Lit are not unapproved
  29. 2 Corinthians 13:7 Lit be as
  30. 2 Corinthians 13:9 Lit your maturation
  31. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Or farewell
  32. 2 Corinthians 13:13 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  33. Galatians 1:3 One early ms God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ
  34. Galatians 1:4 Or world
  35. Galatians 1:6 Lit in
  36. Galatians 1:8 Gr anathema
  37. Galatians 1:9 Gr anathema
  38. Galatians 1:11 Lit according to man
  39. Galatians 1:14 Lit race
  40. Galatians 1:15 One early ms God who
  41. Galatians 1:16 I.e., people
  42. Galatians 1:18 Or visit
  43. Galatians 1:18 I.e., Peter
  44. Galatians 1:19 Or Jacob
  45. Galatians 1:20 Lit behold before God
  46. Galatians 1:22 Lit face
  47. Galatians 1:24 Lit in me
  48. Galatians 2:2 Lit according to revelation I went up
  49. Galatians 2:6 Lit reputed as being something
  50. Galatians 2:7 Lit of the uncircumcision; i.e., to Gentiles
  51. Galatians 2:7 Lit of the circumcision; i.e., to Jews
  52. Galatians 2:8 See note 2 v 7
  53. Galatians 2:9 Or Jacob
  54. Galatians 2:9 I.e., Peter
  55. Galatians 2:9 Lit hands
  56. Galatians 2:11 Or was to be condemned; lit was one who was condemned; or was self-condemned
  57. Galatians 2:12 Or Jacob
  58. Galatians 2:14 Or progressing toward; lit walking straightly
  59. Galatians 2:14 Some close the direct quotation here, others extend it through v 21
  60. Galatians 2:16 Or law
  61. Galatians 2:16 Or law
  62. Galatians 2:16 Or law
  63. Galatians 2:16 Or mortal man
  64. Galatians 2:17 Lit May it never happen!
  65. Galatians 2:19 Or law
  66. Galatians 2:19 Or law
  67. Galatians 2:20 Or insofar as I
  68. Galatians 2:21 Or law
  69. Galatians 3:1 Lit O
  70. Galatians 3:2 Or law
  71. Galatians 3:2 Lit of faith
  72. Galatians 3:3 Or with
  73. Galatians 3:3 Or ending with
  74. Galatians 3:4 Or experience
  75. Galatians 3:5 Or works of power
  76. Galatians 3:5 Or law
  77. Galatians 3:5 Lit of faith
  78. Galatians 3:8 Lit justifies
  79. Galatians 3:8 Lit nations
  80. Galatians 3:9 Lit the believing Abraham
  81. Galatians 3:10 Or law
  82. Galatians 3:11 Or in
  83. Galatians 3:11 Or law
  84. Galatians 3:11 Or the one who is righteous by faith will live
  85. Galatians 3:12 Or And
  86. Galatians 3:12 Or based on
  87. Galatians 3:12 I.e., the statutes of the Law
  88. Galatians 3:12 I.e., the statutes of the Law
  89. Galatians 3:13 Or cross; lit wood; see Deut 21:23
  90. Galatians 3:15 Lit according to man
  91. Galatians 3:15 Or will; or testament
  92. Galatians 3:15 Or a codicil
  93. Galatians 3:18 Lit out of, from
  94. Galatians 3:18 Lit out of, from
  95. Galatians 3:19 I.e., of God’s commands
  96. Galatians 3:19 I.e., Moses
  97. Galatians 3:20 Lit of one
  98. Galatians 3:21 Lit May it never happen!
  99. Galatians 3:21 Or would indeed be
  100. Galatians 3:21 Lit out of, from
  101. Galatians 3:22 Lit all things
  102. Galatians 3:23 I.e., the Jews
  103. Galatians 3:24 I.e., children’s escort and supervisor
  104. Galatians 3:25 See note v 24
  105. Galatians 3:28 Lit not male and female
  106. Galatians 3:29 Lit are Christ’s
  107. Galatians 3:29 Lit seed
  108. Galatians 4:1 Or minor
  109. Galatians 4:1 Lit lord
  110. Galatians 4:2 Or stewards
  111. Galatians 4:2 I.e., when the child is no longer a minor
  112. Galatians 4:3 Or rudimentary teachings
  113. Galatians 4:4 Or law
  114. Galatians 4:5 Or law
  115. Galatians 4:6 I.e., Paul’s translation of the Aramaic Abba
  116. Galatians 4:7 I.e., through the gracious act of
  117. Galatians 4:9 Or rudimentary teachings
  118. Galatians 4:11 Or for
  119. Galatians 4:13 Lit weakness of the flesh
  120. Galatians 4:13 Or former
  121. Galatians 4:14 Lit flesh
  122. Galatians 4:15 I.e., considering yourselves fortunate
  123. Galatians 4:16 Or dealing truthfully with you
  124. Galatians 4:17 Or with good intentions
  125. Galatians 4:18 Or with good intentions
  126. Galatians 4:23 Lit has been born
  127. Galatians 4:24 Lit Which
  128. Galatians 4:24 Lit into slavery
  129. Galatians 4:24 Lit which
  130. Galatians 4:26 Lit which
  131. Galatians 5:4 Or would be
  132. Galatians 5:4 Or law
  133. Galatians 5:5 Lit by
  134. Galatians 5:5 Lit out of
  135. Galatians 5:9 I.e., fermented dough
  136. Galatians 5:10 Lit toward
  137. Galatians 5:12 Or cut themselves off
  138. Galatians 5:24 Lit are of Christ Jesus
  139. Galatians 6:4 Or in regard to
  140. Galatians 6:4 Or in regard to
  141. Galatians 6:10 Or as
  142. Galatians 6:13 Two early mss have been
  143. Galatians 6:13 Or law
  144. Galatians 6:14 Lit may it never be for
  145. Galatians 6:14 Or whom
  146. Galatians 6:15 Or creature
  147. Galatians 6:17 I.e., scars and other evidence of persecution
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2 Corinthians 11 - Galatians 6
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Paul and the False Apostles

11 I hope you will put up with(A) me in a little foolishness.(B) Yes, please put up with me! 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband,(C) to Christ, so that I might present you(D) as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning,(E) your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached,(F) or if you receive a different spirit(G) from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel(H) from the one you accepted, you put up with it(I) easily enough.

5 I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”[a](J) 6 I may indeed be untrained as a speaker,(K) but I do have knowledge.(L) We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. 7 Was it a sin(M) for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God(N) to you free of charge?(O) 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them(P) so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed.(Q) I have kept myself from being a burden to you(R) in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me,(S) nobody in the regions of Achaia(T) will stop this boasting(U) of mine. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows(V) I do!(W)

12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles,(X) deceitful(Y) workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.(Z) 14 And no wonder, for Satan(AA) himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.(AB)

Paul Boasts About His Sufferings

16 I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool.(AC) But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17 In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would,(AD) but as a fool.(AE) 18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does,(AF) I too will boast.(AG) 19 You gladly put up with(AH) fools since you are so wise!(AI) 20 In fact, you even put up with(AJ) anyone who enslaves you(AK) or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. 21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak(AL) for that!

Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.(AM) 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I.(AN) Are they Israelites? So am I.(AO) Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.(AP) 23 Are they servants of Christ?(AQ) (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,(AR) been in prison more frequently,(AS) been flogged more severely,(AT) and been exposed to death again and again.(AU) 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes(AV) minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods,(AW) once I was pelted with stones,(AX) three times I was shipwrecked,(AY) I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews,(AZ) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,(BA) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.(BB) 27 I have labored and toiled(BC) and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;(BD) I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.(BE) 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?(BF) Who is led into sin,(BG) and I do not inwardly burn?

30 If I must boast, I will boast(BH) of the things that show my weakness.(BI) 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever,(BJ) knows(BK) that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me.(BL) 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.(BM)

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn

12 I must go on boasting.(BN) Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations(BO) from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ(BP) who fourteen years ago was caught up(BQ) to the third heaven.(BR) Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.(BS) 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up(BT) to paradise(BU) and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.(BV) 6 Even if I should choose to boast,(BW) I would not be a fool,(BX) because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations.(BY) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,(BZ) a messenger of Satan,(CA) to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.(CB) 9 But he said to me, “My grace(CC) is sufficient for you, for my power(CD) is made perfect in weakness.(CE)”(CF) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight(CG) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,(CH) in persecutions,(CI) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(CJ)

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

11 I have made a fool of myself,(CK) but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,”[b](CL) even though I am nothing.(CM) 12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.(CN) 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you?(CO) Forgive me this wrong!(CP)

14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time,(CQ) and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents,(CR) but parents for their children.(CS) 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.(CT) If I love you more,(CU) will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you.(CV) Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? 18 I urged(CW) Titus(CX) to go to you and I sent our brother(CY) with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God(CZ) as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends,(DA) is for your strengthening.(DB) 20 For I am afraid that when I come(DC) I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be.(DD) I fear that there may be discord,(DE) jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,(DF) slander,(DG) gossip,(DH) arrogance(DI) and disorder.(DJ) 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved(DK) over many who have sinned earlier(DL) and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery(DM) in which they have indulged.

Final Warnings

13 This will be my third visit to you.(DN) “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”[c](DO) 2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent:(DP) On my return I will not spare(DQ) those who sinned earlier(DR) or any of the others, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me.(DS) He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness,(DT) yet he lives by God’s power.(DU) Likewise, we are weak(DV) in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him(DW) in our dealing with you.

5 Examine yourselves(DX) to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.(DY) Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you(DZ)—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak(EA) but you are strong;(EB) and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.(EC) 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh(ED) in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.(EE)

Final Greetings

11 Finally, brothers and sisters,(EF) rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.(EG) And the God of love(EH) and peace(EI) will be with you.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.(EJ) 13 All God’s people here send their greetings.(EK)

14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,(EL) and the love of God,(EM) and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit(EN) be with you all.

1 Paul, an apostle(EO)—sent not from men nor by a man,(EP) but by Jesus Christ(EQ) and God the Father,(ER) who raised him from the dead(ES)— 2 and all the brothers and sisters[d] with me,(ET)

To the churches in Galatia:(EU)

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,(EV) 4 who gave himself for our sins(EW) to rescue us from the present evil age,(EX) according to the will of our God and Father,(EY) 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(EZ)

No Other Gospel

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called(FA) you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel(FB)— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion(FC) and are trying to pervert(FD) the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you,(FE) let them be under God’s curse!(FF) 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted,(FG) let them be under God’s curse!

10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?(FH) If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Paul Called by God

11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters,(FI) that the gospel I preached(FJ) is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man,(FK) nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation(FL) from Jesus Christ.(FM)

13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,(FN) how intensely I persecuted the church of God(FO) and tried to destroy it.(FP) 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous(FQ) for the traditions of my fathers.(FR) 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb(FS) and called me(FT) by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles,(FU) my immediate response was not to consult any human being.(FV) 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.(FW)

18 Then after three years,(FX) I went up to Jerusalem(FY) to get acquainted with Cephas[e] and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James,(FZ) the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God(GA) that what I am writing you is no lie.(GB)

21 Then I went to Syria(GC) and Cilicia.(GD) 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea(GE) that are in Christ.(GF) 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith(GG) he once tried to destroy.”(GH) 24 And they praised God(GI) because of me.

Paul Accepted by the Apostles

2 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem,(GJ) this time with Barnabas.(GK) I took Titus(GL) along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation(GM) and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.(GN) I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race(GO) in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus,(GP) who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.(GQ) 4 This matter arose because some false believers(GR) had infiltrated our ranks to spy on(GS) the freedom(GT) we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel(GU) might be preserved for you.

6 As for those who were held in high esteem(GV)—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism(GW)—they added nothing to my message.(GX) 7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task(GY) of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised,[f](GZ) just as Peter(HA) had been to the circumcised.[g] 8 For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle(HB) to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle(HC) to the Gentiles. 9 James,(HD) Cephas[h](HE) and John, those esteemed as pillars,(HF) gave me and Barnabas(HG) the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.(HH) They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles,(HI) and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor,(HJ) the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

Paul Opposes Cephas

11 When Cephas(HK) came to Antioch,(HL) I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James,(HM) he used to eat with the Gentiles.(HN) But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.(HO) 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas(HP) was led astray.

14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel,(HQ) I said to Cephas(HR) in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew.(HS) How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?(HT)

15 “We who are Jews by birth(HU) and not sinful Gentiles(HV) 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law,(HW) but by faith in Jesus Christ.(HX) So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[i] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.(HY)

17 “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners,(HZ) doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!(IA) 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.

19 “For through the law I died to the law(IB) so that I might live for God.(IC) 20 I have been crucified with Christ(ID) and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.(IE) The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,(IF) who loved me(IG) and gave himself for me.(IH) 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law,(II) Christ died for nothing!”[j]

Faith or Works of the Law

3 You foolish(IJ) Galatians!(IK) Who has bewitched you?(IL) Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.(IM) 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit(IN) by the works of the law,(IO) or by believing what you heard?(IP) 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?[k] 4 Have you experienced[l] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles(IQ) among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?(IR) 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[m](IS)

7 Understand, then, that those who have faith(IT) are children of Abraham.(IU) 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”[n](IV) 9 So those who rely on faith(IW) are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.(IX)

10 For all who rely on the works of the law(IY) are under a curse,(IZ) as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”[o](JA) 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God,(JB) because “the righteous will live by faith.”[p](JC) 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”[q](JD) 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law(JE) by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”[r](JF) 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus,(JG) so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.(JH)

The Law and the Promise

15 Brothers and sisters,(JI) let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.(JJ) Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”[s](JK) meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years(JL) later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise;(JM) but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions(JN) until the Seed(JO) to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels(JP) and entrusted to a mediator.(JQ) 20 A mediator,(JR) however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!(JS) For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.(JT) 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin,(JU) so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Children of God

23 Before the coming of this faith,[t] we were held in custody(JV) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.(JW) 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came(JX) that we might be justified by faith.(JY) 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.(JZ)

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God(KA) through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ(KB) have clothed yourselves with Christ.(KC) 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,(KD) nor is there male and female,(KE) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.(KF) 29 If you belong to Christ,(KG) then you are Abraham’s seed,(KH) and heirs(KI) according to the promise.(KJ)

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery(KK) under the elemental spiritual forces[u] of the world.(KL) 4 But when the set time had fully come,(KM) God sent his Son,(KN) born of a woman,(KO) born under the law,(KP) 5 to redeem(KQ) those under the law, that we might receive adoption(KR) to sonship.[v](KS) 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son(KT) into our hearts,(KU) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[w] Father.”(KV) 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.(KW)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

8 Formerly, when you did not know God,(KX) you were slaves(KY) to those who by nature are not gods.(KZ) 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God(LA)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces[x]? Do you wish to be enslaved(LB) by them all over again?(LC) 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!(LD) 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.(LE)

12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters,(LF) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness(LG) that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.(LH) 15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?(LI)

17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.(LJ) 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.(LK) 19 My dear children,(LL) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,(LM) 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Hagar and Sarah

21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law,(LN) are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman(LO) and the other by the free woman.(LP) 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh,(LQ) but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.(LR)

24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above(LS) is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written:

“Be glad, barren woman,
    you who never bore a child;
shout for joy and cry aloud,
    you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
    than of her who has a husband.”[y](LT)

28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.(LU) 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh(LV) persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit.(LW) It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”[z](LX) 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman,(LY) but of the free woman.(LZ)

Freedom in Christ

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

2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised,(MD) 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.(ME) 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law(MF) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.(MG) 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.(MH) 6 For in Christ Jesus(MI) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.(MJ) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.(MK)

7 You were running a good race.(ML) Who cut in on you(MM) to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.(MN) 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”(MO) 10 I am confident(MP) in the Lord that you will take no other view.(MQ) The one who is throwing you into confusion,(MR) 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?(MS) In that case the offense(MT) of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators,(MU) 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.(MV) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[aa];(MW) rather, serve one another(MX) humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[ab](MY) 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,(MZ) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.(NA) 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.(NB) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[ac] you want.(NC) 18 But if you are led by the Spirit,(ND) you are not under the law.(NE)

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,(NF) 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.(NG) I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.(NH)

22 But the fruit(NI) of the Spirit is love,(NJ) joy, peace,(NK) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.(NL) Against such things there is no law.(NM) 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh(NN) with its passions and desires.(NO) 25 Since we live by the Spirit,(NP) let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited,(NQ) 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(NR) should restore(NS) 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.(NT) 3 If anyone thinks they are something(NU) when they are not, they deceive themselves.(NV) 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,(NW) without comparing themselves to someone else,(NX) 5 for each one should carry their own load.(NY) 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.(NZ)

7 Do not be deceived:(OA) God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.(OB) 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh,(OC) from the flesh will reap destruction;(OD) whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.(OE) 9 Let us not become weary in doing good,(OF) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.(OG) 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good(OH) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family(OI) of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

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

12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh(OK) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.(OL) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted(OM) for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,(ON) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.(OO) 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,(OP) through which[ad] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.(OQ) 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;(OR) what counts is the new creation.(OS) 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[ae] the Israel of God.

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

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

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 11:5 Or to the most eminent apostles
  2. 2 Corinthians 12:11 Or the most eminent apostles
  3. 2 Corinthians 13:1 Deut. 19:15
  4. Galatians 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 11; and in 3:15; 4:12, 28, 31; 5:11, 13; 6:1, 18.
  5. Galatians 1:18 That is, Peter
  6. Galatians 2:7 That is, Gentiles
  7. Galatians 2:7 That is, Jews; also in verses 8 and 9
  8. Galatians 2:9 That is, Peter; also in verses 11 and 14
  9. Galatians 2:16 Or but through the faithfulness of … justified on the basis of the faithfulness of
  10. Galatians 2:21 Some interpreters end the quotation after verse 14.
  11. Galatians 3:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.
  12. Galatians 3:4 Or suffered
  13. Galatians 3:6 Gen. 15:6
  14. Galatians 3:8 Gen. 12:3; 18:18; 22:18
  15. Galatians 3:10 Deut. 27:26
  16. Galatians 3:11 Hab. 2:4
  17. Galatians 3:12 Lev. 18:5
  18. Galatians 3:13 Deut. 21:23
  19. Galatians 3:16 Gen. 12:7; 13:15; 24:7
  20. Galatians 3:23 Or through the faithfulness of Jesus … 23 Before faith came
  21. Galatians 4:3 Or under the basic principles
  22. Galatians 4:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.
  23. Galatians 4:6 Aramaic for Father
  24. Galatians 4:9 Or principles
  25. Galatians 4:27 Isaiah 54:1
  26. Galatians 4:30 Gen. 21:10
  27. Galatians 5:13 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 16, 17, 19 and 24; and in 6:8.
  28. Galatians 5:14 Lev. 19:18
  29. Galatians 5:17 Or you do not do what
  30. Galatians 6:14 Or whom
  31. Galatians 6:16 Or rule and to
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