Bear One Another’s Burdens

(A)Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are (B)spiritual are to (C)restore such a person (D)in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. (E)Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill (F)the law of Christ. For (G)if anyone thinks that 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, but [a]to himself alone, and not [b]to another. For (J)each one will bear his own load.

(K)The one who is taught (L)the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. (M)Do not be deceived, (N)God is not mocked; for (O)whatever a person sows, this he will also reap. (P)For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap (Q)destruction from the flesh, but (R)the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. (S)Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we (T)do not become weary. 10 So then, [c](U)while we have opportunity, let’s 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 have written to you (X)with my own hand! 12 All who want (Y)to make a good showing in the flesh try to (Z)compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they (AA)will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who [d]are circumcised do not even (AB)keep [e]the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may (AC)boast in your flesh. 14 But (AD)[f]far be it from me to 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 all who will follow 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 [i](AK)marks of Jesus.

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

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 6:4 Or in regard to
  2. Galatians 6:4 Or in regard to
  3. Galatians 6:10 Or as
  4. Galatians 6:13 Two early mss have been
  5. Galatians 6:13 Or law
  6. Galatians 6:14 Lit may it never be for
  7. Galatians 6:14 Or whom
  8. Galatians 6:15 Or creature
  9. Galatians 6:17 I.e., scars and other evidence of persecution

Carry One Another’s Burdens

Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle(A) spirit,(B) watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted.(C) Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.(D) For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing,(E) he deceives himself. But each person should examine his own work,(F) and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else. For each person will have to carry his own load.

The one who is taught the message must share(G) all his good things with the teacher. Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit(H) will reap eternal life(I) from the Spirit. So we must not get tired(J) of doing good,(K) for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work(L) for the good(M) of all, especially for those who belong to the household(N) of faith.(O)

Concluding Exhortation

11 Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. 12 Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh(P) are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised(Q)—but only to avoid being persecuted(R) for the cross(S) of Christ. 13 For even the circumcised don’t keep(T) the law themselves; however, they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. 14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. 15 For[a] both circumcision and uncircumcision(U) mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation.(V) 16 May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy to the Israel(W) of God!

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body scars for the cause of Jesus.(X) 18 Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.(Y) Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 6:15 Other mss add in Christ Jesus

Help Each Other

My friends, you are spiritual. So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path. But watch out, and don't be tempted yourself. You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand.

If you think you are better than others, when you really aren't, you are wrong. Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don't compare yourself with others. We each must carry our own load.

Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said.

You cannot fool God, so don't make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant. If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life. Don't get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don't give up. 10 We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord.

Final Warnings

11 You can see what big letters I make when I write with my own hand.

12 Those people who are telling you to get circumcised are only trying to show how important they are. And they don't want to get into trouble for preaching about the cross of Christ. 13 They are circumcised, but they don't obey the Law of Moses. All they want is to brag about having you circumcised. 14 But I will never brag about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his cross, the world is dead as far as I am concerned, and I am dead as far as the world is concerned.

15 It doesn't matter if you are circumcised or not. All that matters is that you are a new person.

16 If you follow this rule, you will belong to God's true people. God will treat you with undeserved kindness and will bless you with peace.

17 (A) On my own body are scars that prove I belong to Christ Jesus. So I don't want anyone to bother me anymore.

18 My friends, I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you! Amen.