4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery^(A) under the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of the world.^{(B) 4} But when the set time had fully come,^(C) God sent his Son,^(D) born of a woman,^(E) born under the law,^{(F) 5} to redeem^(G) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(H) to sonship.^{[b](I) 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(J) into our hearts,^(K) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[c] Father.”^{(L) 7} So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.^(M)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God,^(N) you were slaves^(O) to those who by nature are not gods.^{(P) 9} But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(Q)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[d]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(R) by them all over again?^{(S) 10} You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!^{(T) 11} I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.^(U)

¹² I plead with you, brothers and sisters,^(V) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness^(W) that I first preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴ and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.^{(X) 15} Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?^(Y)

¹⁷ Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.^{(Z) 18} It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.^{(AA) 19} My dear children,^(AB) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^{(AC) 20} how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Hagar and Sarah

²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under the law,^(AD) are you not aware of what the law says? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman^(AE) and the other by the free woman.^{(AF) 23} His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh,^(AG) but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.^(AH)

²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above^(AI) is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:

²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.^{(AK) 29} At that time the son born according to the flesh^(AL) persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit.^(AM) It is the same now. ³⁰ But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”^{[f](AN) 31} Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman,^(AO) but of the free woman.^(AP)

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(AQ) Stand firm,^(AR) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(AS)

² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised,^(AT) Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.^{(AU) 4} You who are trying to be justified by the law^(AV) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.^{(AW) 5} For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.^{(AX) 6} For in Christ Jesus^(AY) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.^(AZ) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.^(BA)

⁷ You were running a good race.^(BB) Who cut in on you^(BC) to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^{(BD) 9} “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”^{(BE) 10} I am confident^(BF) in the Lord that you will take no other view.^(BG) The one who is throwing you into confusion,^(BH) 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?^(BI) In that case the offense^(BJ) of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those agitators,^(BK) 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.^(BL) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[g];^(BM) rather, serve one another^(BN) humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[h](BO) 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,^(BP) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.^{(BQ) 17} For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.^(BR) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[i] you want.^{(BS) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit,^(BT) you are not under the law.^(BU)

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,^(BV) 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.^(BW) I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.^(BX)

²² But the fruit^(BY) of the Spirit is love,^(BZ) joy, peace,^(CA) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control.^(CB) Against such things there is no law.^{(CC) 24} Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh^(CD) with its passions and desires.^{(CE) 25} Since we live by the Spirit,^(CF) let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited,^(CG) provoking and envying each other.

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit^(CH) should restore^(CI) that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.^{(CJ) 3} If anyone thinks they are something^(CK) when they are not, they deceive themselves.^{(CL) 4} Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,^(CM) without comparing themselves to someone else,^{(CN) 5} for each one should carry their own load.^{(CO) 6} Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.^(CP)

⁷ Do not be deceived:^(CQ) God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.^{(CR) 8} Whoever sows to please their flesh,^(CS) from the flesh will reap destruction;^(CT) whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.^{(CU) 9} Let us not become weary in doing good,^(CV) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.^{(CW) 10} Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good^(CX) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family^(CY) of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

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

¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh^(DA) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.^(DB) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted^(DC) for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,^(DD) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.^{(DE) 14} May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(DF) through which^[j] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.^{(DG) 15} Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;^(DH) what counts is the new creation.^{(DI) 16} Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to^[k] the Israel of God.

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

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

1 Paul, an apostle^(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(B)

To God’s holy people^(C) in Ephesus,^[a](D) the faithful^(E) in Christ Jesus:

² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^(F)

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(G) who has blessed us in the heavenly realms^(H) with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us^(I) in him before the creation of the world^(J) to be holy and blameless^(K) in his sight. In love^{(L) 5} he^[b] predestined^(M) us for adoption to sonship^[c](N) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure^(O) and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace,^(P) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.^{(Q) 7} In him we have redemption^(R) through his blood,^(S) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches^(T) of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[d] made known to us the mystery^(U) of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed^(V) in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment^(W)—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.^(X)

¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^[e] having been predestined^(Y) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose^(Z) of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.^{(AA) 13} And you also were included in Christ^(AB) when you heard the message of truth,^(AC) the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,^(AD) the promised Holy Spirit,^{(AE) 14} who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance^(AF) until the redemption^(AG) of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.^(AH)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

¹⁵ For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus^(AI) and your love for all God’s people,^{(AJ) 16} I have not stopped giving thanks for you,^(AK) remembering you in my prayers.^{(AL) 17} I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^(AM) may give you the Spirit^[f] of wisdom^(AN) and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened^(AO) in order that you may know the hope to which he has called^(AP) you, the riches^(AQ) of his glorious inheritance^(AR) in his holy people,^{(AS) 19} and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power^(AT) is the same as the mighty strength^{(AU) 20} he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead^(AV) and seated him at his right hand^(AW) in the heavenly realms,^{(AX) 21} far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,^(AY) and every name^(AZ) that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.^{(BA) 22} And God placed all things under his feet^(BB) and appointed him to be head^(BC) over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body,^(BD) the fullness of him^(BE) who fills everything in every way.^(BF)

Made Alive in Christ

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,^{(BG) 2} in which you used to live^(BH) when you followed the ways of this world^(BI) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,^(BJ) the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.^{(BK) 3} All of us also lived among them at one time,^(BL) gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[g](BM) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us,^(BN) God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions^(BO)—it is by grace you have been saved.^{(BP) 6} And God raised us up with Christ^(BQ) and seated us with him^(BR) in the heavenly realms^(BS) in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,^(BT) expressed in his kindness^(BU) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace^(BV) you have been saved,^(BW) through faith^(BX)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works,^(BY) so that no one can boast.^{(BZ) 10} For we are God’s handiwork,^(CA) created^(CB) in Christ Jesus to do good works,^(CC) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly^(CD) you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)^(CE)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners^(CF) to the covenants of the promise,^(CG) without hope^(CH) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(CI) were far away have been brought near^(CJ) by the blood of Christ.^(CK)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(CL) who has made the two groups one^(CM) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(CN) the law with its commands and regulations.^(CO) His purpose was to create in himself one^(CP) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(CQ) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(CR) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(CS) 18} For through him we both have access^(CT) to the Father^(CU) by one Spirit.^(CV)

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(CW) but fellow citizens^(CX) with God’s people and also members of his household,^{(CY) 20} built^(CZ) on the foundation^(DA) of the apostles and prophets,^(DB) with Christ Jesus himself^(DC) as the chief cornerstone.^{(DD) 21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(DE) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(DF)