Galatians 1:11-24
English Standard Version
Paul Called by God
11 For (A)I would have you know, brothers, that (B)the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.[a] 12 (C)For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it (D)through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of (E)my former life in Judaism, how (F)I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely (G)zealous was I for (H)the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he (I)who had set me apart (J)before I was born,[b] and who (K)called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to[c] me, in order (L)that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;[d] 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then (M)after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James (N)the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, (O)before God, I do not lie!) 21 (P)Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to (Q)the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Galatians 1:11 Greek not according to man
- Galatians 1:15 Greek set me apart from my mother's womb
- Galatians 1:16 Greek in
- Galatians 1:16 Greek with flesh and blood
Galatians 1:11-24
New Living Translation
Paul’s Message Comes from Christ
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.[a]
13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.
15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me[b] so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.
When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being.[c] 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.
18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter,[d] and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.
21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And still the churches in Christ that are in Judea didn’t know me personally. 23 All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” 24 And they praised God because of me.
Read full chapterThe Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
