Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹⁵ Brethren, I will speak with reference to the custom of men. Though it be but a man’s last will and testament, yet no one sets it aside or adds anything to it once it is confirmed. ¹⁶ To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He does not say, In the seeds, as in many, but, In your seed, as in one, which is Christ. ¹⁷ This I say: the law, which began afterwards (over 430 years), does not nullify the testament that was confirmed before by God in Christ, so as to make the promise of no effect. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance comes by the law, it does not come by promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.

¹⁹ For what then does the law serve? The law was added because of transgressions (till the seed came to whom the promise was made), and it was instituted by angels in the hand of a mediator. ²⁰ A mediator is not a mediator of one. But God is one. ²¹ Is the law then against the promise of God? God forbid. However, if there had been a law given that could have given life, then no doubt righteousness would have come by the law. ²² But the scripture included all things under sin so that the promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, should be given to those who believe.