¹² Some people are trying to force you to be circumcised ·so the Jews will accept them [or to impress others by external standards; ^Lto make a good showing in the flesh]. They do this only to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ [^Cthe Gospel message of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross].

¹³ [^LFor] Those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so they can ·brag [boast] ·about what they forced you to do [^Lin your flesh].