Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks

Christ Set Us Free

5 ^[a](A)It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, ^(B)stand firm and do not be subject again to a ^(C)yoke of slavery.

² Behold I, ^(D)Paul, say to you that if you receive ^(E)circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³ And I ^(F)testify again to every man who receives ^(G)circumcision, that he is under obligation to ^(H)keep the whole Law. ⁴ You have been ^[b]severed from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have ^(I)fallen from grace! ⁵ For we ^[c]through the Spirit, ^[d]by faith, are ^(J)eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in ^(K)Christ Jesus ^(L)neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but ^(M)faith working through love.

⁷ You were ^(N)running well; who hindered you from ^[e]obeying the truth? ⁸ This persuasion is not from ^(O)Him who calls you. ^9 (P)A little leaven leavens the whole lump. ^10 (Q)I have confidence ^[f]in you in the Lord that you ^(R)will adopt no other view. But the one who is ^(S)disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. ¹¹ But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still ^(T)persecuted? Then ^(U)the stumbling block of the cross would have been abolished. ¹² I wish that ^(V)those who are upsetting you would even ^[g](W)mutilate themselves.

¹³ For you were called to ^(X)freedom, brothers; ^(Y)only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love ^(Z)serve one another. ¹⁴ For ^(AA)the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “^(AB)You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you ^(AC)bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.

Walk by the Spirit

¹⁶ But I say, ^(AD)walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out ^(AE)the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For ^(AF)the flesh ^[h]sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, ^(AG)so that you do not do the things that you want. ¹⁸ But if you are ^(AH)led by the Spirit, ^(AI)you are not under the Law. ¹⁹ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: ^(AJ)sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, ^(AK)sorcery, enmities, ^(AL)strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, ^(AM)selfish ambition, dissensions, ^[i](AN)factions, ²¹ envying, ^(AO)drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not ^(AP)inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But ^(AQ)the fruit of the Spirit is ^(AR)love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, ^(AS)self-control. Against such things ^(AT)there is no law. ²⁴ Now those who ^[j]belong to ^(AU)Christ Jesus ^(AV)crucified the flesh with its passions and ^(AW)desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also ^[k]walk in step with ^(AX)the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become those with ^(AY)vain glory, challenging one another, envying one another.

Bear One Another’s Burdens

6 ^(AZ)Brothers, even if ^[l]anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are ^(BA)spiritual, ^(BB)restore such a one ^(BC)in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. ^2 (BD)Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill ^(BE)the law of Christ. ³ For ^(BF)if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But each one must ^(BG)examine his own work, and then he will have reason for ^(BH)boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. ⁵ For ^(BI)each one will bear his own load.

^6 (BJ)And the one who is instructed in ^(BK)the word is to share in all good things with the one who instructs him. ^7 (BL)Do not be deceived, ^(BM)God is not mocked, for ^(BN)whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. ^8 (BO)For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap ^(BP)corruption, but ^(BQ)the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ^9 (BR)And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we ^(BS)do not grow weary. ¹⁰ So then, ^[m](BT)while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the ^(BU)household of ^(BV)the faith.

¹¹ See with what large letters I ^[n]am writing to you ^(BW)with my own hand! ¹² As many as are wanting ^(BX)to make a good showing in the flesh, these are trying to ^(BY)compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they ^(BZ)will not be persecuted ^[o]for the cross of Christ. ¹³ For those who ^[p]are circumcised do not even ^(CA)keep ^[q]the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may ^(CB)boast in your flesh. ¹⁴ But ^(CC)may it never be that I would boast, ^(CD)except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(CE)through ^[r]which the world has been crucified to me, and ^(CF)I to the world. ¹⁵ For ^(CG)neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a ^(CH)new ^[s]creation. ¹⁶ And those who will ^[t]walk in step with this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the ^(CI)Israel of God.

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

^18 (CK)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be ^(CL)with your spirit, ^(CM)brothers. Amen.