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Bear One Another’s Burdens

(A)Brothers, even if [a]anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are (B)spiritual, (C)restore such a one (D)in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. (E)Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill (F)the law of Christ. For (G)if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must (H)examine his own work, and then he will have reason for (I)boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For (J)each one will bear his own load.

(K)And the one who is instructed in (L)the word is to share in all good things with the one who instructs him. (M)Do not be deceived, (N)God is not mocked, for (O)whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. (P)For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap (Q)corruption, but (R)the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (S)And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we (T)do not grow weary. 10 So then, [b](U)while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the (V)household of (W)the faith.

11 See with what large letters I [c]am writing to you (X)with my own hand! 12 As many as are wanting (Y)to make a good showing in the flesh, these are trying to (Z)compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they (AA)will not be persecuted [d]for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who [e]are circumcised do not even (AB)keep [f]the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may (AC)boast in your flesh. 14 But (AD)may it never be that I would boast, (AE)except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, (AF)through [g]which the world has been crucified to me, and (AG)I to the world. 15 For (AH)neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a (AI)new [h]creation. 16 And those who will [i]walk in step with this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the (AJ)Israel of God.

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

18 (AL)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be (AM)with your spirit, (AN)brothers. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 6:1 Gr anthropos
  2. Galatians 6:10 Or as
  3. Galatians 6:11 Or have written
  4. Galatians 6:12 Or because of
  5. Galatians 6:13 Two early mss have been
  6. Galatians 6:13 Or law
  7. Galatians 6:14 Or whom
  8. Galatians 6:15 Or creature
  9. Galatians 6:16 Lit following in line

Caring and sharing

Brothers and sisters, if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual should restore someone like this with a spirit of gentleness. Watch out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted too. Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are important when they aren’t, they’re fooling themselves. Each person should test their own work and be happy with doing a good job and not compare themselves with others. Each person will have to carry their own load.

Those who are taught the word should share all good things with their teacher. Make no mistake, God is not mocked. A person will harvest what they plant. Those who plant only for their own benefit will harvest devastation from their selfishness, but those who plant for the benefit of the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit. Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up. 10 So then, let’s work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity, and especially for those in the household of faith.

Final greeting

11 Look at the large letters I’m making with my own handwriting! 12 Whoever wants to look good by human standards will try to get you to be circumcised, but only so they won’t be harassed for the cross of Christ. 13 Those who are circumcised don’t observe the Law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised, so they can boast about your physical body.[a]

14 But as for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except for the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through him, and I have been crucified to the world. 15 Being circumcised or not being circumcised doesn’t mean anything. What matters is a new creation. 16 May peace and mercy be on whoever follows this rule and on God’s Israel.

17 From now on, no one should bother me because I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.

18 Brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 6:13 In Gk the word traditionally rendered as flesh is rendered here as physical body, but it has a wide range of meaning. Gal 5:13-25; 6:8, 12 contain nine close occurrences of the same word in Gk, but it is rendered as selfish in regard to impulses, desires, motives, or benefit, and human standards in 6:12.