²⁵ Circumcision has value if you observe the law,^(A) but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.^(B)

³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.^{(A) 4} You who are trying to be justified by the law^(B) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.^{(C) 5} For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.^{(D) 6} For in Christ Jesus^(E) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.^(F) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.^(G)

¹⁵ Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;^(A) what counts is the new creation.^(B)

⁵¹ “You stiff-necked people!^(A) Your hearts^(B) and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

⁶ The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants,^(A) so that you may love^(B) him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

²⁸ A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,^(A) nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.^{(B) 29} No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,^(C) by the Spirit,^(D) not by the written code.^(E) Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.^(F)

God’s Faithfulness

3 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? ² Much in every way!^(G) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.^(H)

²³ You who boast in the law,^(A) do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

²⁵ “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh^(A)— ²⁶ Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab and all who live in the wilderness in distant places.^[a](B) For all these nations are really uncircumcised,^(C) and even the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.^(D)”