Christ Set Us Free

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not allow anyone to put the yoke of slavery on you again. ² Look, I, Paul, tell you that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³ I testify again to every man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obligated to do the whole law. ⁴ You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law are completely separated from Christ. You have fallen from grace.

⁵ Indeed, through the Spirit, we by faith are eagerly waiting for the sure hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, it is faith working through love that matters. ⁷ You were running well! Who cut in on you, so that you are no longer persuaded by the truth? ⁸ This persuasion is not from the one who calls you. ⁹ A little yeast works through the whole batch. ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will have no other opinion than this. But the one who is trying to disturb you will pay the penalty, whoever he is.

¹¹ Brothers,^[a] if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? Then the offense of the cross has been abolished. ¹² If only those who are upsetting you would also cut themselves off!^[b]