Not Circumcision but the New Creation

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

12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh(B) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.(C) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted(D) for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,(E) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.(F) 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,(G) through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.(H) 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;(I) what counts is the new creation.(J) 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God.

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

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

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 6:14 Or whom
  2. Galatians 6:16 Or rule and to

A Final Warning against Circumcision

11 Look at how large these letters are because I am writing with my own hand! 12 These people who want to impress others by their external appearance[a] are trying to force you to be circumcised, simply to avoid being persecuted for the cross of the Messiah.[b] 13 Why, not even those who are circumcised obey the Law! They simply want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your external appearance.[c] 14 But may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[d] by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world! 15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, what matters is being[e] a new creation. 16 Now may peace be on all those who live by this principle, and may mercy be on the Israel of God. 17 Let no one make any more trouble for me, because I carry the scars of Jesus on my own body.

Final Greeting

18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[f] be with your spirit, brothers! Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 6:12 Lit. their flesh
  2. Galatians 6:12 Or Christ
  3. Galatians 6:13 Lit. your flesh
  4. Galatians 6:14 Or Christ
  5. Galatians 6:15 The Gk. lacks what matters is being
  6. Galatians 6:18 Or Christ