²¹ I do not nullify the grace of God, for ^(A)if righteousness^[a] were through the law, ^(B)then Christ died for no purpose.

^6 (A)But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

^11 (A)Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?

²¹ Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For ^(A)if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

² Look: I, Paul, say to you that ^(A)if you accept circumcision, ^(B)Christ will be of no advantage to you. ³ I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that ^(C)he is obligated to keep the whole law. ⁴ You are ^(D)severed from Christ, ^(E)you who would be justified^[a] by the law; ^(F)you have fallen away from grace.

¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

¹⁶ yet we know that ^(A)a person is not justified^[a] by works of the law ^(B)but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, ^(C)because by works of the law no one will be justified.

² and by which ^(A)you are being saved, if you ^(B)hold fast to the word I preached to you—^(C)unless you believed in vain.

³ For, being ignorant of ^(A)the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.