¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?^(A) In that case the offense^(B) of the cross has been abolished.

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.

²³ but we preach Christ crucified:^(A) a stumbling block^(B) to Jews and foolishness^(C) to Gentiles,

²⁹ At that time the son born according to the flesh^(A) persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit.^(B) It is the same now.

³ Yet not even Titus,^(A) who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.^(B)

³⁰ And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour?^(A)

²¹ They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses,^(A) telling them not to circumcise their children^(B) or live according to our customs.^(C)

⁸ and,

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.^(B)

⁹ But you are a chosen people,^(C) a royal priesthood,^(D) a holy nation,^(E) God’s special possession,^(F) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.^(G)

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