Paul, an apostle sent not from any people nor by their decision,
but by Jesus Christ and by God the Father who raised him from the dead,
and all the brothers with me,
to the churches of Galatia:

Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins so that he might deliver us from the present harmful age, in accord with the will of our God and Father to whom be glory for ages of ages. Amen. 1/5

I marvel that, from the one who called you by the grace of Christ, you turn away so quickly to another gospel, of which there is no other, unless some people are disturbing you and want to transform the gospel of the Christ. Yet even if we, or an angel from heaven, were to bring a gospel other than the one we have brought, let that one be accursed. As we just said, I now say again: If anyone brings a gospel to you other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed. Am I now persuading people or God? Am I seeking to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a slave of Christ. 1/10

For I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel brought by me is not according to any person – since I did not receive it from a person, nor was I taught – but through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, that I persecuted the church of God further and I was destroying it, and I progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was even more a zealot for the traditions of my fathers. But when the one who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me, so that I might bring his gospel among the nations, I did not confer right away with flesh and blood. Neither did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia and returned again to Damascus. 1/17

Then, three years later, I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him for fifteen days. But I did not see the other apostles, except for James, the brother of the Lord. In what I am writing to you, in the sight of God, I do not lie. 1/20

Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia and my face was unknown to the churches of Christ in Judea. They only heard: “The one who was persecuting us then has now brought the gospel, the faith that he was then destroying.” And they glorified God because of me. 1/24

Then, fourteen years later, I went up to Jerusalem again, with Barnabas, taking Titus with me also. I went up in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I proclaim among the nations – but privately, to those of repute – so that I would not run or have run in vain. And Titus, who was with me and was a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised on account of the false brothers who had been brought in, who had come in to spy on the freedom that we have in Christ so that they might enslave us. We did not submit to them for a moment so that the truth of the gospel would continue with you. 2/5

But those who were reputed to be something – whatever they were makes no difference to me, as God does not accept anyone by appearances – those of repute added nothing to me. On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel among the uncircumcised as had Peter among the circumcised, since the one who had been working in Peter for a mission among the circumcised, had worked in me also, for the nations. And having recognized the grace given to me, James and Cephas and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave the right hand of fellowship to me and to Barnabas, that we should go the nations and they to the circumcised. They asked only that we would remember the poor, the same thing that I was eager to do also. 2/10

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he was at fault. Before some people came from James he ate with the nations, but when they came he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those from the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews adopted this pretense with him, so that even Barnabas was led away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they did not go straight to the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of everyone: “If you, being a Jew, live as do the nations and not as a Jew, how can you compel the nations to live as Jews? We, Jews by birth and not sinners of the nations, know that a person is not declared righteous by works of law, except through faith in Christ Jesus. And we believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be declared righteous by faith in Christ and not by works of law, because it is not by works of law that all flesh will be declared righteous.” 2/16

But if seeking to be declared righteous in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners also, then is Christ a servant of sin? Not so. Because if I build again the same things I have torn down, I show myself a transgressor. For through law, I died to law so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ and I live no longer, but Christ lives in me, and the life that I live in the flesh now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and handed himself over for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, because if righteousness comes through law, then Christ died for nothing. 2/21

O foolish Galatians, who put a spell on you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was displayed as crucified? I only want to learn this from you: Was it from works of law that you received the Spirit or from hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun with spirit are you now finishing with flesh? Did you suffer so much for no reason, if indeed it was for no reason? So then, does the one who supplies the Spirit to you, and exercises miraculous powers among you, do so from works of law or from hearing with faith? Just as Abraham believed God, “and it was counted for him as righteousness,” you should know that those of faith, those are sons of Abraham. And the scripture, having foreseen that God declares the nations righteous through faith, first proclaimed the gospel to Abraham that, “All nations will be blessed in you.” So then, those of faith are blessed together with the faithful Abraham. 3/9

For as many as are living by works of law are under a curse, since it is written: “Accursed is everyone who does not continue to do all things written in the book of the law.” And it is clear that no one is declared righteous before God by law, because the righteous will live by faith and the law is not from faith, but “the one doing them will live by them.” Christ has purchased us out from the curse of the law, having become a curse for our sake, because it is written: “Accursed is everyone hanging on a tree.” This is so that the blessing of Abraham, in Jesus Christ, may come to be for the nations, so that we may receive the promise of the Spirit through this faith. 3/14

Brothers, I speak as a man. Even so, when a human covenant has been confirmed, no one sets it aside or adds to it. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. It does not say “and to your seeds,” as if to many, but “and to your seed,” as if to one, who is Christ. I say this: A covenant had been confirmed earlier by God, and the law, which came into existence four hundred and thirty years later, does not cancel the promise so as to do away with it. For if the inheritance comes from law then it is no longer from a promise, but God graciously gave it to Abraham through a promise. 3/18

Why the law, then? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made, and it was commanded through angels by the hand of a mediator. But there is no mediator of one and God is one. Then is the law against the promises of God? Not so. For, if a law had been given that was able to give life, righteousness would really have been by law. However, the scripture confined all things under sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were held in confinement under law for the faith about to be revealed. And so the law was our tutor up until Christ, so that we might be declared righteous by faith, but once faith has come we are no longer under a tutor. 3/25

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves in Christ. There cannot be Jew or Greek, there cannot be slave or free, there cannot be male and female, since you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are of Christ, then you are the seed of Abraham, heirs according to a promise. 3/29

But I say, as long as the heirs are children, they are no different from slaves. They are masters of all things but are under guardians and stewards for the term set by their father. And similarly for us, when we were children, we were enslaved by the ordering principles of the universe. But when the fullness of time arrived, God sent his Son – born of woman, born under law – to purchase those under law so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, calling out “Abba, Father.” And so you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, an heir also through God. 4/7

However, not knowing God at that time, you were slaves to what by nature are not gods. But now knowing God, or rather being known by God, how can you turn again to weak and impoverished ordering principles, by which, once again, you want to be enslaved? You pay attention to days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you that I may have laboured among you for no reason. 4/11

I beg you, brothers, become as I am, because I am as you. You did me no wrong and you know that it was due to a weakness of my flesh that I first brought the gospel to you. Yet you did not dismiss or refuse the trial made of you by my flesh, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. Where, then, is your blessing? For I am a witness to you that if it had been possible, you would have dug out your eyes and would have given them to me. So then, have I become your enemy by speaking the truth to you? 4/16

They are zealous for you, but not well, rather they want to shut you out so that you will be zealous for them. Yet it is always good to be zealous for the good, and not only when I am with you my children, for whom I am in labour again until Christ is formed in you. But I wish I were with you now and could change my tone, because I am at a loss about you. Tell me, those who want to be under the law, have you not heard the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one of the slave woman and one of the free woman, but that of the slave woman was born according to the flesh and that of the free woman through the promise. These things are taken as allegories. For these women are two covenants, one indeed from Mount Sinai, giving birth into slavery, and this is Hagar. And Mount Sinai in Arabia is Hagar and it corresponds to the present Jerusalem, since she serves as a slave with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free and she is our mother. 4/26

For it is written:
“Be glad, barren one who does not bear;
break forth and shout aloud, one not in labour.
Many are the children of the deserted, more than of she who has a husband.” 4/27

Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of a promise. But just as the one born in accord with flesh persecuted the one born in accord with spirit, so it is now. But what does the scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not inherit with the son of the free woman.” Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman. With this freedom, Christ has freed us. Stand then, and do not be held in a yoke of slavery again. 5/1

Look, I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And again, I testify to every man who is being circumcised that he is obligated to perform all the law. You have been separated from Christ, those of you being declared righteous by law, and you have fallen from grace. For in a spirit due to faith we await the hope of righteousness. For, in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor lack of circumcision effects anything, but faith working through love. 5/6

You were running well. Who diverted you from being convinced by the truth? That persuasion is not from the one calling you. A little yeast leavens the whole batch. I am confident of you in the Lord that you will not think otherwise, but that those who are disturbing you will carry their judgments, whoever they may be. Yet if I still proclaim circumcision, brothers, why am I still persecuted? In that case, the stumbling block of the cross is done away with. Indeed, I wish that those who trouble you would cut themselves off. 5/12

For you were called to freedom, brothers, only not the freedom that is an incentive to the flesh. But serve one another through love, since all law is fulfilled in one word: “You will love your neighbour as yourself.” Now if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say: Walk in spirit and you will not bring to completion the desires of flesh. For flesh desires in opposition to the Spirit and the Spirit in opposition to flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you may not do whatever you want. But if you are lead by spirit, you are not under law. 5/18

Yet the works of the flesh are evident: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, quarrelling, fighting, jealousy, angers, rivalries, disputes, factions, envies, drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you of them, as I did before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in spirit, may we walk in line with spirit also. 5/25

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another and envying one another. And brothers, if a person has been caught in some misdeed, then you who are spiritual should restore such a one in a gentle spirit, paying attention to yourselves so that you are not tried also. Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfil the Christ's law. For if any think themselves to be something, being nothing, they deceive themselves. But let each of us test our own work, and then we may boast in regard to ourselves alone and not in regard to others, since each of us will carry our own load. But let the one being taught the word share in all good things with the one teaching. 6/6

Do not be misled. God is not to be held in contempt. For whatever we sow, this we will reap also. Because those who sow to their own flesh, from the flesh will reap what decays, but those who sow to the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap life eternal. And may we not lose heart doing what is good, because we will reap at the proper time if we do not give up. So then, as we have occasion, let us do good to all people, especially to those of the household of faith. 6/10

See with what big letters I write to you in my own hand. All those who want to put on a good show in the flesh want to compel you to be circumcised, but only so that they are not persecuted for the cross of the Christ. For not even the circumcised themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh. But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world was crucified to me and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything nor lack of circumcision, but a new creation. As many as will walk in line with this standard, peace and mercy upon them and upon the Israel of God. 6/16

For the rest, let no one make labours for me, because I carry the marks of Jesus on my body. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.