I.  

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

6I marvel that ye are so soon removing from him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel; 7which is not another, except that there are some who trouble you, and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach a gospel to you contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9As we have said before, so I now say again, if any one preaches a gospel to you contrary to that which ye received, let him be accursed. 10For do I now seek the favor of men or of God? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be Christ's servant.

11Now I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man; 12for I also did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but through the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13For ye heard of my conduct formerly in Judaism; that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and was destroying it, 14and pressed forward in Judaism beyond many companions of the same age in my nation, being more exceedingly a zealot for the traditions of my fathers.

15But when it pleased God, who set me apart from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, 16to reveal his Son in me, that I should make known the glad news of him among the Gentiles; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood; 17neither went up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but went away17 into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18Then, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. 19But no other of the apostles did I see, save James, the brother of the Lord. 20Now as to the things which I write to you, behold before God, I lie not.

21Afterward, I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22and was unknown by face to the churches of Juda which were in Christ; 23but they were only hearing, that he who was once our persecutor now preaches the faith which once he was destroying; 24and they glorified God in me.

II.  

Then, after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking also Titus with me. 2And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles; but privately, to those of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run in vain. 3But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised; 4and that because of the false brethren stealthily brought in, who crept in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; 5to whom not even for an hour did we yield by the [required] submission, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6But from those reputed to be something,—whatever they were, it matters not to me, God accepts not man's person,—for to me those of reputation communicated nothing in addition. 7But, on the contrary, seeing that I have been entrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, as Peter was with that of the circumcision; 8(for he who wrought for Peter in behalf of the apostleship of the circumcision, wrought also for me in behalf of the Gentiles;) 9and having learned the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas right hands of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision; 10only, that we should remember the poor, which very thing also I was forward to do.

11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was blamed. 12For before certain ones came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13And the other Jews also dissembled with him, so that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14But when I saw that they walk not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in the presence of all: If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles and not that of Jews, how dost thou compel the Gentiles to become as Jews? 15We are Jews by nature, and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16but knowing that a man is not justified by works of law, but through faith in Jesus Christ, we also believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of law; because by works of law no flesh shall be justified. 17But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is then Christ a minister of sin? Far be it! 18For if the things which I pulled down these I build up again, I make myself a transgressor. 19For I through law died to law, that I might live to God. 20I have been crucified with Christ; and no longer do I live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21I do not set aside the grace of God; for if there be righteousness through law, then Christ died without cause.

III.  

O foolish Galatians, who bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2This only I desire to learn from you: Was it from works of law that ye received the Spirit, or from the hearing of faith? 3Are ye so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are ye now being made perfect with the flesh? 4Did ye suffer so many things in vain? If indeed it be in vain. 5Does he, therefore, who supplies to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, do it from works of law, or from the hearing of faith? 6As Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. 7Know then that they who are of faith, these are sons of Abraham. 8And the Scripture, foreseeing that God justifies the Gentiles by faith, announced beforehand the glad tidings to Abraham, saying: In thee shall all the nations be blessed. 9So that they who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

10For as many as are of works of law are under a curse; for it is written: Cursed is every one that continues not in all the things written in the book of the law, to do them. 11And that in the law no one is justified with God, is evident; because, the just shall live by faith. 12Now the law is not of faith; but, he that has done them shall live in them. 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; because it is written: Cursed is every one that is hanged on a tree; 14that unto the Gentiles the blessing of Abraham might come in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

15Brethren, I speak after the manner of men. If a covenant has been confirmed, though it be a man's, no one sets it aside, or adds thereto. 16Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He says not, and to seeds, as concerning many; but as concerning one, and to thy seed, which is Christ. 17But this I say, that a covenant before confirmed by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, does not annul, to make the promise of no effect. 18For if the inheritance is of law, it is no more of promise; but God has freely given it to Abraham by promise.

19What then is the law? It was added because of the transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made; having been ordained through angels, by the hand of a mediator. 20Now the mediator is not of one; but God is one. 21Is then the law against the promises of God? Far be it! For if a law had been given which is able to make alive, truly righteousness would have been of law. 22But the Scripture shut up all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23But before faith came, we were guarded under law, shut up unto the faith which was to be revealed. 24So that the law has become our schoolmaster, unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But faith having come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26For ye are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For all ye who were immersed unto Christ, did put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is no male and female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to the promise.

IV.  

Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differs in nothing from a servant though he is lord of all; 2but is under guardians and stewards, until the time appointed by the father. 3So also we, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elements of the world. 4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under law, 5that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7So that thou art no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, also an heir through God. 8But at that time indeed, when ye knew not God, ye served those which are not in their nature gods. 9But now, after having known God, or rather having been known by God, how is it that ye turn back again to the weak and poor elements, to which ye desire to be in bondage again anew? 10Do ye carefully observe days, and months, and seasons, and years? 11I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.

12Become as I am, for I also became as ye are, brethren, I beseech you. Ye injured me in nothing. 13Nay, ye know that by reason of weakness of the flesh I preached the glad tidings to you the former time; 14and my trial, which was in my flesh, ye despised not nor spurned, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15Where is then the happiness of which ye spoke? For I bear you witness, that if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes, and given them to me. 16So then, have I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 17They zealously seek you, not well; but they wish to exclude you, that ye may zealously seek them. 18But it is good to be zealously sought in a good cause always, and not only when I am present with you. 19My little children, of whom I travail again in birth, until Christ be formed in you! 20And I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I am perplexed on account of you.

21Tell me, ye who desire to be under law, do ye not hear the law? 22For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman, and one by the freewoman. 23But the one by the bondwoman was born after the flesh, and the one by the freewoman through the promise. 24Which things are an allegory. For these women are two covenants, one from mount Sinai, bearing children into bondage, 25which is Hagar (for the word Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia), and answers to the Jerusalem that now is, for she is in bondage with her children. 26But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27For it is written:

Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not;

Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not;

Because many are the children of the desolate, rather than of her who has the husband.

28But ye, brethren, after the manner of Isaac, are children of promise. 29But as then, the one born after the flesh persecuted the one born after the spirit, so also is it now. 30But what says the Scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son; for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman. 31So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the freewoman.

V.  

Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty with which Christ made us free, and be not again entangled with the yoke of bondage. 2Behold, I, Paul, say to you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3Now I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised, that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4Ye are separated from Christ, whoever of you are justified in the law; ye are fallen away from grace. 5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith working by love.

7Ye were running well; who hindered you, that ye should not obey the truth? 8The persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10I have confidence toward you in the Lord, that ye will be no otherwise minded; but he that troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he may be. 11But as for me, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then has the offense of the cross ceased. 12I would that they were even cut off who unsettle you.

13For ye were called unto liberty, brethren; only use not the liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 15But if ye bite and devour one another, beware lest ye be consumed by one another.

16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye will not fulfill the desire of the flesh. 17For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other, that ye may not do those things that ye would. 18But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under law.

19Now the works of the flesh are manifest; which are, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness, 20idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, emulation, wraths, contentions, divisions, factions, 21envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings; and things like these; of which I tell you beforehand, as I also said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23meekness, temperance; against such things there is no law. 24And they that are Christ's crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.

VI.  

Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if a man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4But let each one prove his own work, and then shall he have ground of glorying in reference to himself alone, and not to another. 5For each one shall bear his own load.

6But let him that is taught in the word share with him that teaches, in all good things. 7Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. 8Because he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

11See with what large letters I wrote to you with my own hand.

12As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, these constrain you to be circumcised; only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13For neither do they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but they desire that ye should be circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16And as many as walk by this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and on the Israel of God.

17Henceforth let no one trouble me; for I bear the marks of Jesus in my body.

18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.