Freedom of the Christian

5 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm,^(A) then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.^{(B) 2} Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. ³ Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.^{(C) 5} For we eagerly await^(D) through the Spirit, by faith, the hope^(E) of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith^(F) working through love.^(G)

⁷ You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?^{(H) 8} This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^{(I) 9} A little leaven^[a] leavens the whole batch of dough. ¹⁰ I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.^{(J) 11} Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross^(K) has been abolished. ¹² I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!

¹³ For you were called^(L) to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity^[b] for the flesh, but serve one another through love. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled^(M) in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.^{[c](N) 15} But if you bite and devour^(O) one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

The Spirit versus the Flesh

¹⁶ I say, then, walk by the Spirit^(P) and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires^(Q) what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.^{(R) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious:^[d] sexual immorality,^(S) moral impurity,^(T) promiscuity,^{(U) 20} idolatry,^(V) sorcery,^(W) hatreds,^(X) strife,^(Y) jealousy,^(Z) outbursts of anger,^(AA) selfish ambitions,^(AB) dissensions,^(AC) factions,^{(AD) 21} envy,^[e](AE) drunkenness, carousing,^(AF) and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.^(AG)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit^(AH) is love,^(AI) joy,^(AJ) peace, patience,^(AK) kindness,^(AL) goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness,^(AM) and self-control.^(AN) The law is not against such things.^{[f] 24} Now those who belong to Christ Jesus^(AO) have crucified the flesh^(AP) with its passions and desires.^{(AQ) 25} If we live^(AR) by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.^(AS)