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For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working[a] through love. You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine; and he who is troubling you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brethren, still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the stumbling block of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would mutilate themselves!

13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another take heed that you are not consumed by one another.

The Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, 21 envy,[b] drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.

Bear One Another’s Burdens

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if any one thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each man will have to bear his own load.

Let him who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Final Admonitions and Benediction

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which[c] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God.

17 Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 5:6 Or made effective
  2. Galatians 5:21 Other ancient authorities add murder
  3. Galatians 6:14 Or through whom

For in Christ Jesus(A) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.(B) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.(C)

You were running a good race.(D) Who cut in on you(E) to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.(F) “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”(G) 10 I am confident(H) in the Lord that you will take no other view.(I) The one who is throwing you into confusion,(J) whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?(K) In that case the offense(L) of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators,(M) I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.(N) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a];(O) rather, serve one another(P) humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b](Q) 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit,(R) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.(S) 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.(T) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want.(U) 18 But if you are led by the Spirit,(V) you are not under the law.(W)

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,(X) impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.(Y) I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.(Z)

22 But the fruit(AA) of the Spirit is love,(AB) joy, peace,(AC) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.(AD) Against such things there is no law.(AE) 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh(AF) with its passions and desires.(AG) 25 Since we live by the Spirit,(AH) let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited,(AI) provoking and envying each other.

Doing Good to All

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit(AJ) should restore(AK) that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.(AL) If anyone thinks they are something(AM) when they are not, they deceive themselves.(AN) Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,(AO) without comparing themselves to someone else,(AP) for each one should carry their own load.(AQ) Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.(AR)

Do not be deceived:(AS) God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.(AT) Whoever sows to please their flesh,(AU) from the flesh will reap destruction;(AV) whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.(AW) Let us not become weary in doing good,(AX) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.(AY) 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good(AZ) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family(BA) of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!(BB)

12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh(BC) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.(BD) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted(BE) for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,(BF) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.(BG) 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,(BH) through which[d] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.(BI) 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;(BJ) what counts is the new creation.(BK) 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[e] the Israel of God.

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

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ(BM) be with your spirit,(BN) brothers and sisters. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 5:13 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 16, 17, 19 and 24; and in 6:8.
  2. Galatians 5:14 Lev. 19:18
  3. Galatians 5:17 Or you do not do what
  4. Galatians 6:14 Or whom
  5. Galatians 6:16 Or rule and to