Galatians 5:1-14 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Christ Sets Us Free

5 Christ has set us free to enjoy our freedom. So remain strong in the faith. Don’t let the chains of slavery hold you again.

² Here is what I, Paul, say to you. Don’t let yourselves be circumcised. If you do, Christ won’t be of any value to you. ³ I say it again. Every man who lets himself be circumcised must obey the whole law. ⁴ Some of you are trying to be made right with God by obeying the law. You have been separated from Christ. You have fallen away from God’s grace. ⁵ But we long to be made completely holy because of our faith in Christ. Through the Holy Spirit we wait for this in hope. ⁶ Circumcision and uncircumcision aren’t worth anything to those who believe in Christ Jesus. The only thing that really counts is faith that shows itself through love.

⁷ You were running a good race. Who has kept you from obeying the truth? ⁸ The God who chooses you does not keep you from obeying the truth. ⁹ You should know that “just a little yeast works its way through the whole batch of dough.” ¹⁰ The Lord makes me certain that you will see the truth of this. The one who has gotten you all mixed up will have to pay the price. This will happen no matter who has done it. ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, I no longer preach that people must be circumcised. If I did, why am I still being opposed? If I preached that, then the cross wouldn’t upset anyone. ¹² So then, what about troublemakers who try to get others to be circumcised? I wish they would go the whole way! I wish they would cut off everything that marks them as men!

Living by the Holy Spirit’s Power

¹³ My brothers and sisters, you were chosen to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to live under the power of sin. Instead, serve one another in love. ¹⁴ The whole law is fulfilled by obeying this one command. “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)