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.

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.

The Council at Jerusalem

15 Certain people^(A) came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers:^(B) “Unless you are circumcised,^(C) according to the custom taught by Moses,^(D) you cannot be saved.”

²³ Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(A) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

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

¹³ For such people are false apostles,^(A) deceitful^(B) workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.^(C)

¹⁸ For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,^(A) many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.^(B)

⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.^(A)

¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.

¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,^(A) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.^(B)