Gálatas 3
Traducción en lenguaje actual
Obedecer la ley o confiar en Jesucristo
3 ¡Ay, gálatas, qué tontos son ustedes! ¡Hasta parece que estuvieran embrujados! Yo mismo les di una explicación clara de cómo murió Jesucristo en la cruz. 2 Sólo quiero que me digan una cosa: Cuando recibieron el Espíritu de Dios ¿fue por obedecer la ley, o por aceptar la buena noticia? ¡Claro que fue por aceptar la buena noticia! 3 Y si esto fue así, ¿por qué no quieren entender? Si para comenzar esta nueva vida necesitaron la ayuda del Espíritu de Dios, ¿por qué ahora quieren terminarla mediante sus propios esfuerzos? 4 ¿Tantos sufrimientos, para nada? ¡Aunque no creo que no hayan servido de nada! 5 Dios no les ha dado el Espíritu, ni ha hecho milagros entre ustedes, sólo porque ustedes obedecen la ley. ¡No! Lo hace porque ustedes aceptaron el mensaje de la buena noticia.
El ejemplo de Abraham
6 Dios aceptó a Abraham porque él confió en Dios. 7 Sepan, entonces, que los verdaderos descendientes de Abraham son todos los que confían en Dios. 8 Desde mucho antes, la Biblia decía que Dios también iba a aceptar a los que no son judíos, siempre y cuando pusieran su confianza en Jesucristo. Por eso Dios le dio a Abraham esta buena noticia: «Gracias a ti, bendeciré a todas las naciones.» 9 Así que Dios bendecirá, por medio de Abraham, a todos los que confían en él como Abraham lo hizo.
10 Pero corren un grave peligro los que buscan agradar a Dios obedeciendo la ley, porque la Biblia dice: «Maldito sea el que no obedezca todo lo que la ley ordena.» 11 Nadie puede agradar a Dios sólo obedeciendo la ley, pues la Biblia dice: «Los que Dios ha aceptado, y que confían en él, vivirán para siempre.»
12 Pero para tener vida eterna por medio de la ley no haría falta confiar en Dios; sólo habría que obedecer la ley. Por eso dice la Biblia: «El que obedece la ley se salvará por su obediencia.» 13 Pero Cristo prefirió recibir por nosotros la maldición que cae sobre el que no obedece la ley. De ese modo nos salvó. Porque la Biblia dice: «Dios maldecirá a cualquiera que muera colgado de un madero.» 14 Por eso, la bendición que Dios prometió darle a Abraham es también para los que no son judíos. Así que, si confiamos en Cristo, recibiremos el Espíritu que Dios nos ha prometido.
La ley y la promesa
15 Hermanos míos, les voy a dar un ejemplo que cualquiera puede entender. Cuando una persona hace un pacto con otra, y lo firma, nadie puede anularlo ni agregarle nada. 16 Ahora bien, las promesas que Dios le hizo a Abraham eran para él y para su descendiente. La Biblia no dice que las promesas eran para «sus descendientes», sino para «su descendencia», la cual es Cristo. 17 Lo que quiero decir es esto: la promesa de Dios no puede cambiarla, ni dejarla sin valor, una ley que Dios dio cuatrocientos treinta años después. 18 Porque si Dios diera lo que prometió sólo a quien obedece la ley, entonces ya no lo daría para cumplir su promesa. Pero lo cierto es que, cuando Dios le aseguró a Abraham que le daría lo prometido, no le pidió nada a cambio.
19 Entonces, ¿para qué sirve la ley? Pues después de hacerle su promesa a Abraham, Dios nos dio la ley para mostrarnos lo que estábamos haciendo mal. Pero esa ley serviría sólo hasta que viniera el descendiente de Abraham, a quien Dios le hizo la promesa. Dios le dio la ley a Moisés por medio de los ángeles, para que él nos la diera a nosotros. 20 Pero cuando Dios le hizo la promesa a Abraham, no usó mensajeros, sino que se la hizo personalmente.
¿Para qué sirvió la ley?
21 Esto no significa que la ley esté en contra de las promesas de Dios. ¡De ninguna manera! Porque si la ley pudiera darnos vida eterna, entonces Dios nos hubiera aceptado por obedecerla. 22 La Biblia dice que el pecado nos domina a todos, de modo que el regalo que Dios prometió es para los que confían en Jesucristo. 23 Antes de eso, la ley fue como una cárcel, donde estuvimos encerrados hasta que vimos que podíamos confiar en Cristo. 24 La ley fue como un maestro que nos guió y llevó hasta Cristo, para que Dios nos aceptara por confiar en él. 25 Pero ahora que ha llegado el tiempo en que podemos confiar en Jesucristo, no hace falta que la ley nos guíe y nos enseñe.
26 Ustedes han confiado en Jesucristo, y por eso todos ustedes son hijos de Dios. 27 Porque cuando fueron bautizados, también quedaron unidos a Cristo, y ahora actúan como él. 28 Así que no importa si son judíos o no lo son, si son esclavos o libres, o si son hombres o mujeres. Si están unidos a Jesucristo, todos son iguales. 29 Y si están unidos a Cristo, entonces son miembros de la gran familia de Abraham, y tienen derecho a recibir las promesas que Dios le hizo.
Kehillah in Galatia 3
Orthodox Jewish Bible
3 O senseless Galatians, who bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua was publicly shown forth as having been TALUI AL HAETZ (hanging on the tree, DEVARIM 21:23).
2 This one thing only I want to learn from you: did you receive the Ruach HaKodesh by means of chukim of the Torah (laws of Torah) or by means of the hearing of emunah?
3 You lack seichel; having begun in the Ruach HaKodesh, will you now be perfected in the basar?
4 Did you suffer so many things lashav (in vain)?‖if it really was lashav.
5 So then, Hashem who is supplying to you the Ruach HaKodesh and producing nifla’ot (miracles) among you, by what means does He do it, by chukim of the Torah or by the hearing of emunah?
6 Just as Avraham Avinu HE’EMIN BA’HASHEM VAYACHSHEVEHA LO TZDAKAH ("believed Hashem and it [his faith] was accounted to him for righteousness" BERESHIS 15:6),
7 Know then, that the Bnei HaEmunah, these ones are the Bnei Avraham Avinu!
8 And the Kitvei HaKodesh, having foreseen that Hashem would yatzdik (justify) the Goyim by emunah, preached the Besuras HaGeulah beforehand to Avraham Avinu, saying "VENIVRECHU VO KOL GOYEI HA’ARETZ ("All the families, peoples of the earth will be blessed in you" BERESHIS 18:18; 12:3).
9 For this reason, the ones of emunah receive the bracha (blessing) with Avraham Avinu hama’amin (the believer).
10 For as many as are (seeking "YITZDAK IM HASHEM") by chukim of the Torah are under a kelalah (curse); for it has been written, ARUR ASHER LO YAKIM ES DIVREI HATORAH HAZOT LA’ASOT OTAM ("Cursed is everyone who does not uphold, abide by all the words of this Torah to do them, to carry them out" DEVARIM 27:26; cf Ya 2:10).
11 Now it is clear that not one person is YITZDAK IM HASHEM ("justified with G-d") by the Torah, because V’TZADDIK BE’EMUNATO YICHEYEH ("the righteous by his faith will live" CHABAKUK 2:4).
12 But the Torah is not of emunah, but the man YA’ASEH OTAM VACHAI ("who does these things will live" by them VAYIKRA 18:5).
13 Moshiach redeemed us from the kelalah (curse) of the Torah, having become a kelalah (curse) on behalf of us, because it has been written, KILELAT HASHEM is on NIVLATO TALUI AL HAETZ ("Curse of G-d is on the NEVELAH (body, corpse) being hanged on the tree" DEVARIM 21:23),
14 In order that to the Goyim the Bracha of Avraham Avinu might come by Moshiach Yehoshua, that the havtachah (promise) of the Ruach haKodesh we might receive through emunah.
15 Achim B’Moshiach, I speak according to human dimyon (analogy). Even a brit (covenant) having been confirmed by Bnei Adam no one sets aside or adds to it.
16 Now to Avraham Avinu were spoken the havtachot (promises) and to his ZERA ("seed" BERESHIS 22:18). He does not say V’LIZERAEHCHAH ("and to your seeds"), as concerning many, but as concerning one, "and to the ZERA of you", and that ZERA is Moshiach.
17 And this I say: a brit (covenant), which was previously confirmed by Hashem, cannot be annulled so as to abolish the havtachah (promise) by the Mattan Torah‖which was given arba me’ot usheloshim shanah [four hundred and thirty years later SHEMOT 12:40]).
18 For if the nachalah (inheritance) is based on Torah, it is no longer based on havtachah (promise); but Hashem has given the nachalah to Avraham Avinu by havtachah (promise).
19 Why then the Mattan Torah (Giving of the Torah)? The Torah was added because of peysha’im, until the ZERA (Moshiach) should come to whom the havtachah had been made (BERESHIS 22:18). Now the Torah was administered through malachim (DEVARIM 33:2; TEHILLIM 68:18) by the hand of a metavech (VAYIKRA 26:46; BAMIDBAR 36:13).
20 Now the metavech is not for only one, but Elohim hu echad (DEVARIM 6:4).
21 Is the Torah, mimeila (consequently, as a result), against the havtachot (promises) of Hashem? Chas v’Shalom (G-d forbid!)! For if Torah had been given that had the ko’ach (power) to affect hitkhadshut (regeneration), then to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM ("justified with G-d") would indeed have been based on chukim of the Torah.
22 But the Kitvei HaKodesh consigned all things under HaChet (Sin) [Ro 3:9], that the havtachah (promise) might be given by emunah in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua to the ma’aminim.
23 But before Emunah came, we were being held in custody, being confined and guarded for the about-to-be- revealed Emunah.
24 This is the result: the Torah functioned as our omenet (governess) to lead us to Moshiach, that by emunah we might be YITZDAK IM HASHEM.
25 But Emunah having come, we are no longer under an omenet (governess).
26 For through emunah in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua, you are all yeladim of Elohim.
27 For as many as have had a tevilah into Moshiach have clothed yourselves with Moshiach.
28 There is not Yehudi nor Yevani (Greek), there is not eved (servant) nor Ben Chorin (freedman), there is not zachar (male) nor nekevah (female), for you are all echad in Moshiach Yehoshua.
29 And, if you belong to Moshiach (YESHAYAH 53:10), then you are of the ZERA of Avraham Avinu, you are yoreshim (heirs) according to the havtachah (promise).
Galatians 3
New King James Version
Justification by Faith(A)
3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you [a]that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed [b]among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, (B)or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? (C)Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by (D)the flesh? 4 (E)Have you suffered so [c]many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham (F)“believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only (G)those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And (H)the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, (I)“In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
The Law Brings a Curse
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, (J)“Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is [d]justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for (K)“the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet (L)the law is not of faith, but (M)“the man who does them shall live by them.”
13 (N)Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, (O)“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 (P)that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the (Q)Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive (R)the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Changeless Promise(S)
15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: (T)Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of (U)one, (V)“And to your Seed,” who is (W)Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, (X)which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God [e]in Christ, (Y)that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if (Z)the inheritance is of the law, (AA)it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Purpose of the Law
19 What purpose then does the law serve? (AB)It was added because of transgressions, till the (AC)Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was (AD)appointed through angels by the hand (AE)of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, (AF)but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined (AG)all under sin, (AH)that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, [f]kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore (AI)the law was our [g]tutor to bring us to Christ, (AJ)that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Sons and Heirs
26 For you (AK)are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For (AL)as many of you as were baptized into Christ (AM)have put on Christ. 28 (AN)There is neither Jew nor Greek, (AO)there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all (AP)one in Christ Jesus. 29 And (AQ)if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s (AR)seed, and (AS)heirs according to the promise.
Footnotes
- Galatians 3:1 NU omits that you should not obey the truth
- Galatians 3:1 NU omits among you
- Galatians 3:4 Or great
- Galatians 3:11 declared righteous
- Galatians 3:17 NU omits in Christ
- Galatians 3:23 Lit. confined
- Galatians 3:24 In a household, the guardian responsible for the care and discipline of the children
Copyright © 2000 by United Bible Societies
Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
