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====== Paul: Epistle to the Galatians ======

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===== 1:1 =====
 Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through
Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), 1:2 and
all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: 1:3
Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
1:4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this
present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father-- 1:5 to
whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

1:6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the
grace of Christ to a different "good news"; 1:7 and there isn't another
"good news." Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert
the Good News of Christ. 1:8 But even though we, or an angel from
heaven, should preach to you any "good news" other than that which we
preached to you, let him be cursed. 1:9 As we have said before, so I now
say again: if any man preaches to you any "good news" other than that
which you received, let him be cursed. 1:10 For am I now seeking the
favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were
still pleasing men, I wouldn't be a servant of Christ. 1:11 But I make
known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by
me, that it is not according to man. 1:12 For neither did I receive it
from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of
Jesus Christ. 1:13 For you have heard of my way of living in time past
in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly
of God, and ravaged it. 1:14 I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond
many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous
for the traditions of my fathers. 1:15 But when it was the good pleasure
of God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me through
his grace, 1:16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among
the Gentiles, I didn't immediately confer with flesh and blood, 1:17 nor
did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I
went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus. 1:18 Then after
three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him
fifteen days. 1:19 But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James,
the Lord's brother. 1:20 Now about the things which I write to you,
behold, before God, I'm not lying. 1:21 Then I came to the regions of
Syria and Cilicia. 1:22 I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of
Judea which were in Christ, 1:23 but they only heard: "He who once
persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy."
1:24 And they glorified God in me.

===== 2:1 =====
 Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem
with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. 2:2 I went up by revelation,
and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles,
but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be
running, or had run, in vain. 2:3 But not even Titus, who was with me,
being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 2:4 This was because of
the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our
liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into
bondage; 2:5 to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for
an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you. 2:6
But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it
makes no difference to me; God doesn't show partiality to man)--they, I
say, who were respected imparted nothing to me, 2:7 but to the contrary,
when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the
uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcision
2:8 (for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision
appointed me also to the Gentiles); 2:9 and when they perceived the
grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were
reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of
fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the
circumcision. 2:10 They only asked us to remember the poor--which very
thing I was also zealous to do.

2:11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because
he stood condemned. 2:12 For before some people came from James, he ate
with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated
himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 2:13 And the rest
of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was
carried away with their hypocrisy. 2:14 But when I saw that they didn't
walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter
before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not
as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?

2:15 "We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners, 2:16 yet
knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through
faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might
be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law,
because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. 2:17 But if,
while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found
sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not! 2:18 For if I build
up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker.
2:19 For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God.
2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live,
but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live
by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
2:21 I don't make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through
the law, then Christ died for nothing!"

===== 3:1 =====
 Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth,
before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as
crucified? 3:2 I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the
Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 3:3 Are you so
foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?
3:4 Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain? 3:5
He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among
you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 3:6
Even as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him for
righteousness." 3:7 Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same
are children of Abraham. 3:8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would
justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to
Abraham, saying, "In you all the nations will be blessed."* 3:9 So then,
those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. 3:10 For
as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is
written, "Cursed is everyone who doesn't continue in all things that are
written in the book of the law, to do them."* 3:11 Now that no man is
justified by the law before God is evident, for, "The righteous will
live by faith."* 3:12 The law is not of faith, but, "The man who does
them will live by them."*

3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse
for us. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,"*
3:14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through
Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith. 3:15 Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man's
covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds
to it. 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He
doesn't say, "To seeds," as of many, but as of one, "To your seed,"*
which is Christ. 3:17 Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by
God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does
not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. 3:18 For if the
inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted
it to Abraham by promise.

3:19 What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until
the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained
through angels by the hand of a mediator. 3:20 Now a mediator is not
between one, but God is one. 3:21 Is the law then against the promises
of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could
make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law.
3:22 But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the
promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
3:23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law,
confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 3:24 So that
the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be
justified by faith. 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer
under a tutor. 3:26 For you are all children of God, through faith in
Christ Jesus. 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have
put on Christ. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither
slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all
one in Christ Jesus. 3:29 If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's
seed and heirs according to promise.

===== 4:1 =====
 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different
from a bondservant, though he is lord of all; 4:2 but is under guardians
and stewards until the day appointed by the father. 4:3 So we also, when
we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of
the world. 4:4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his
Son, born to a woman, born under the law, 4:5 that he might redeem those
who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.
4:6 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son
into your hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!" 4:7 So you are no longer a
bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through
Christ. 4:8 However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage
to those who by nature are not gods. 4:9 But now that you have come to
know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to
the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be
in bondage all over again? 4:10 You observe days, months, seasons, and
years. 4:11 I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for
you. 4:12 I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as
you are. You did me no wrong, 4:13 but you know that because of weakness
of the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time. 4:14 That
which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn't despise nor
reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

4:15 What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if
possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
4:16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 4:17
They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you,
that you may seek them. 4:18 But it is always good to be zealous in a
good cause, and not only when I am present with you.

4:19 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is
formed in you-- 4:20 but I could wish to be present with you now, and to
change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. 4:21 Tell me, you that
desire to be under the law, don't you listen to the law? 4:22 For it is
written that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the
free woman. 4:23 However, the son by the handmaid was born according to
the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise. 4:24
These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is
from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. 4:25 For
this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that
exists now, for she is in bondage with her children. 4:26 But the
Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 4:27 For
it is written,

"Rejoice, you barren who don't bear. Break forth and shout, you that
don't travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who
has a husband."* 4:28 Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of
promise. 4:29 But as then, he who was born according to the flesh
persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
4:30 However what does the Scripture say? "Throw out the handmaid and
her son, for the son of the handmaid will not inherit with the son of
the free woman."* 4:31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a
handmaid, but of the free woman.

===== 5:1 =====
 Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us
free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 5:2 Behold,
I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit
you nothing. 5:3 Yes, I testify again to every man who receives
circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 5:4 You are
alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You
have fallen away from grace. 5:5 For we, through the Spirit, by faith
wait for the hope of righteousness. 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither
circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working
through love. 5:7 You were running well! Who interfered with you that
you should not obey the truth? 5:8 This persuasion is not from him who
calls you. 5:9 A little yeast grows through the whole lump. 5:10 I have
confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But
he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.

5:11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still
persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed. 5:12
I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off. 5:13 For
you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for
gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. 5:14 For
the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your
neighbor as yourself."* 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, be
careful that you don't consume one another. 5:16 But I say, walk by the
Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh. 5:17 For the flesh
lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these
are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you
desire. 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the
law. 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery,
sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 5:20 idolatry, sorcery,
hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions,
heresies, 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like
these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that
those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faith, 5:23 gentleness, and self-control. Against
such things there is no law. 5:24 Those who belong to Christ have
crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 5:25 If we live by the
Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit. 5:26 Let's not become conceited,
provoking one another, and envying one another.

===== 6:1 =====
 Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are
spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to
yourself so that you also aren't tempted. 6:2 Bear one another's
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 6:3 For if a man thinks
himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 6:4 But
let each man test his own work, and then he will take pride in himself
and not in his neighbor. 6:5 For each man will bear his own burden. 6:6
But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who
teaches. 6:7 Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man
sows, that he will also reap. 6:8 For he who sows to his own flesh will
from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from
the Spirit reap eternal life. 6:9 Let us not be weary in doing good, for
we will reap in due season, if we don't give up. 6:10 So then, as we
have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially
toward those who are of the household of the faith.

6:11 See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand. 6:12
As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be
circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of
Christ. 6:13 For even they who receive circumcision don't keep the law
themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast
in your flesh. 6:14 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross
of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to
me, and I to the world. 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision
anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 6:16 As many as walk
by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God's Israel. 6:17 From
now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the
Lord Jesus branded on my body.

6:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers.
Amen.

===== Notes: =====


[1] back to 1:2 The word for "brothers" here and where context allows
may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."

[2] back to 3:8 Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:18

[3] back to 3:10 Deuteronomy 27:26

[4] back to 3:11 Habakkuk 2:4

[5] back to 3:12 Leviticus 18:5

[6] back to 3:13 Deuteronomy 21:23

[7] back to 3:16 Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 24:7

[8] back to 4:6 Abba is a Greek spelling for the Aramaic word for
"Father" or "Daddy" used in a familiar, respectful, and loving way.

[9] back to 4:27 Isaiah 54:1

[10] back to 4:30 Genesis 21:10

[11] back to 5:14 Leviticus 19:18

[12] back to 5:22 or, faithfulness