³ Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?^[a]

⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law^(A) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.^{(B) 5} For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.^{(C) 6} For in Christ Jesus^(D) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.^(E) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.^(F)

⁷ You were running a good race.^(G) Who cut in on you^(H) to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^(I)

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.^(A)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God,^(B) you were slaves^(C) to those who by nature are not gods.^{(D) 9} But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(E)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[a]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(F) by them all over again?^{(G) 10} You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!^(H)

¹⁶ one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is declared:

¹⁸ The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless^{(B) 19} (for the law made nothing perfect),^(C) and a better hope^(D) is introduced, by which we draw near to God.^(E)

⁹ This is an illustration^(A) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered^(B) were not able to clear the conscience^(C) of the worshiper. ¹⁰ They are only a matter of food^(D) and drink^(E) and various ceremonial washings^(F)—external regulations^(G) applying until the time of the new order.

¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh^(A) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.^(B) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted^(C) for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,^(D) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.^{(E) 14} May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(F) through which^[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.^(G)

² A tabernacle^(A) was set up. In its first room were the lampstand^(B) and the table^(C) with its consecrated bread;^(D) this was called the Holy Place.^(E)