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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

Paul’s Final Advice

11 Notice what large letters i use as i write these closing words in my own handwriting.

12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 13 And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.

14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross,[a] my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.[b]

17 From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.

18 Dear brothers and sisters,[c] may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. 6:14 Or Because of him.
  2. 6:16 Greek this principle, and upon the Israel of God.
  3. 6:18 Greek Brothers.