Galatians 3:16-24

English Standard Version

¹⁶ Now ^(A)the promises were made ^(B)to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, ^(C)“And to your offspring,” who is Christ. ¹⁷ This is what I mean: the law, which came ^(D)430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as ^(E)to make the promise void. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but ^(F)God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

¹⁹ Why then the law? ^(G)It was added because of transgressions, ^(H)until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was ^(I)put in place through angels ^(J)by an intermediary. ²⁰ Now ^(K)an intermediary implies more than one, but ^(L)God is one.

²¹ Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For ^(M)if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. ²² But the Scripture ^(N)imprisoned everything under sin, so that ^(O)the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given ^(P)to those who believe.

²³ Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, ^(Q)imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. ²⁴ So then, ^(R)the law was our ^(S)guardian until Christ came, ^(T)in order that we might be justified by faith.