Occult Practices

⁹ When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate^(A) the detestable ways^(B) of the nations there. ¹⁰ Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire,^(C) who practices divination^(D) or sorcery,^(E) interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,^{(F) 11} or casts spells,^(G) or who is a medium or spiritist^(H) or who consults the dead. ¹² Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.^{(I) 13} You must be blameless^(J) before the Lord your God.^(K)

Paul Accepted by the Apostles

2 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem,^(A) this time with Barnabas.^(B) I took Titus^(C) along also. ² I went in response to a revelation^(D) and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.^(E) I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race^(F) in vain. ³ Yet not even Titus,^(G) who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.^{(H) 4} This matter arose because some false believers^(I) had infiltrated our ranks to spy on^(J) the freedom^(K) 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^(L) might be preserved for you.

⁶ As for those who were held in high esteem^(M)—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism^(N)—they added nothing to my message.^{(O) 7} On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task^(P) of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised,^[a](Q) just as Peter^(R) had been to the circumcised.^{[b] 8} For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle^(S) to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle^(T) to the Gentiles. ⁹ James,^(U) Cephas^[c](V) and John, those esteemed as pillars,^(W) gave me and Barnabas^(X) the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.^(Y) They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles,^(Z) and they to the circumcised. ¹⁰ All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor,^(AA) the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

Paul Opposes Cephas

¹¹ When Cephas^(AB) came to Antioch,^(AC) I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹² For before certain men came from James,^(AD) he used to eat with the Gentiles.^(AE) 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.^{(AF) 13} The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas^(AG) was led astray.

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

¹⁵ “We who are Jews by birth^(AL) and not sinful Gentiles^{(AM) 16} know that a person is not justified by the works of the law,^(AN) but by faith in Jesus Christ.^(AO) So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in^[d] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.^(AP)

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

¹⁹ “For through the law I died to the law^(AS) so that I might live for God.^{(AT) 20} I have been crucified with Christ^(AU) and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.^(AV) The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,^(AW) who loved me^(AX) and gave himself for me.^{(AY) 21} I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law,^(AZ) Christ died for nothing!”^[e]

Faith or Works of the Law

3 You foolish^(BA) Galatians!^(BB) Who has bewitched you?^(BC) Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.^{(BD) 2} I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit^(BE) by the works of the law,^(BF) or by believing what you heard?^{(BG) 3} Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?^{[f] 4} Have you experienced^[g] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? ⁵ So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles^(BH) among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?^{(BI) 6} So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”^[h](BJ)

⁷ Understand, then, that those who have faith^(BK) are children of Abraham.^{(BL) 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.”^{[i](BM) 9} So those who rely on faith^(BN) are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.^(BO)

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law^(BP) are under a curse,^(BQ) as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”^{[j](BR) 11} Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God,^(BS) because “the righteous will live by faith.”^{[k](BT) 12} The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”^{[l](BU) 13} Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law^(BV) by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”^{[m](BW) 14} He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus,^(BX) so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.^(BY)

The Law and the Promise

¹⁵ Brothers and sisters,^(BZ) 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.^(CA) Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”^[n](CB) meaning one person, who is Christ. ¹⁷ What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years^(CC) 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;^(CD) 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^(CE) until the Seed^(CF) to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels^(CG) and entrusted to a mediator.^{(CH) 20} A mediator,^(CI) however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

²¹ Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!^(CJ) For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.^{(CK) 22} But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin,^(CL) 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,^[o] we were held in custody^(CM) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.^{(CN) 24} So the law was our guardian until Christ came^(CO) that we might be justified by faith.^{(CP) 25} Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.^(CQ)

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God^(CR) through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ^(CS) have clothed yourselves with Christ.^{(CT) 28} There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,^(CU) nor is there male and female,^(CV) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.^{(CW) 29} If you belong to Christ,^(CX) then you are Abraham’s seed,^(CY) and heirs^(CZ) according to the promise.^(DA)

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^(DB) under the elemental spiritual forces^[p] of the world.^{(DC) 4} But when the set time had fully come,^(DD) God sent his Son,^(DE) born of a woman,^(DF) born under the law,^{(DG) 5} to redeem^(DH) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(DI) to sonship.^{[q](DJ) 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(DK) into our hearts,^(DL) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[r] Father.”^{(DM) 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.^(DN)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God,^(DO) you were slaves^(DP) to those who by nature are not gods.^{(DQ) 9} But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(DR)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[s]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(DS) by them all over again?^{(DT) 10} You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!^{(DU) 11} I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.^(DV)

¹² I plead with you, brothers and sisters,^(DW) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness^(DX) 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.^{(DY) 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?^(DZ)

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.^{(EA) 18} It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.^{(EB) 19} My dear children,^(EC) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^{(ED) 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,^(EE) are you not aware of what the law says? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman^(EF) and the other by the free woman.^{(EG) 23} His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh,^(EH) but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.^(EI)

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^(EJ) is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:

²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.^{(EL) 29} At that time the son born according to the flesh^(EM) persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit.^(EN) 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.”^{[u](EO) 31} Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman,^(EP) but of the free woman.^(EQ)

Freedom in Christ

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

² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised,^(EU) 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.^{(EV) 4} You who are trying to be justified by the law^(EW) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.^{(EX) 5} For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.^{(EY) 6} For in Christ Jesus^(EZ) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.^(FA) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.^(FB)

⁷ You were running a good race.^(FC) Who cut in on you^(FD) to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^{(FE) 9} “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”^{(FF) 10} I am confident^(FG) in the Lord that you will take no other view.^(FH) The one who is throwing you into confusion,^(FI) 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?^(FJ) In that case the offense^(FK) of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those agitators,^(FL) 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.^(FM) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[v];^(FN) rather, serve one another^(FO) humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[w](FP) 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,^(FQ) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.^{(FR) 17} For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.^(FS) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[x] you want.^{(FT) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit,^(FU) you are not under the law.^(FV)

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

²² But the fruit^(FZ) of the Spirit is love,^(GA) joy, peace,^(GB) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control.^(GC) Against such things there is no law.^{(GD) 24} Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh^(GE) with its passions and desires.^{(GF) 25} Since we live by the Spirit,^(GG) let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited,^(GH) 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^(GI) should restore^(GJ) 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.^{(GK) 3} If anyone thinks they are something^(GL) when they are not, they deceive themselves.^{(GM) 4} Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,^(GN) without comparing themselves to someone else,^{(GO) 5} for each one should carry their own load.^{(GP) 6} Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.^(GQ)

⁷ Do not be deceived:^(GR) God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.^{(GS) 8} Whoever sows to please their flesh,^(GT) from the flesh will reap destruction;^(GU) whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.^{(GV) 9} Let us not become weary in doing good,^(GW) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.^{(GX) 10} Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good^(GY) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family^(GZ) of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

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

¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh^(HB) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.^(HC) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted^(HD) for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,^(HE) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.^{(HF) 14} May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(HG) through which^[y] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.^{(HH) 15} Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;^(HI) what counts is the new creation.^{(HJ) 16} Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to^[z] the Israel of God.

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

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