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Final Admonitions and Benediction

11 See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.(A) 13 Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which[a] the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.(B) 15 For[b] neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything, but a new creation is everything!(C) 16 As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From now on, let no one make trouble for me, for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body.(D)

18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. 6.14 Or through whom
  2. 6.15 Other ancient authorities add in Christ Jesus

Following in the path of the Spirit is not a chore; instead it opens us up to experiencing the life God has for us.

11 Look at how giant these letters are now that I am writing with my own hand!

12 The troublemakers who are putting pressure on you to be circumcised are trying to impress the flesh. They want to avoid the persecution that comes from preaching the cross of the Anointed One, the Liberating King. 13 But even those who receive circumcision can’t keep the law—although they think they can—and they hope to influence which way you go with your own skin so they can have bragging rights over your flesh.

14 May I never put anything above the cross of our Lord Jesus the Anointed. Through Him, the world has been crucified to me and I to this world. 15 Let me be clear: circumcision won’t save you—uncircumcision won’t either for that matter—for both amount to nothing. God’s new creation is what counts, and it counts for everything. 16 May peace and mercy come to all of you who live by this rule and to the Israel of God.

17 In the future, don’t let anyone cause trouble for me because I bear in my body the marks that wounded Jesus.

18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, infuse your spirit with His, brothers and sisters. Amen.

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