Galatians 1:1–2:14

1 Paul, apostle, not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father who raised him from among the dead, 2 and all the brethren with me, to the assemblies of Galatia. 3 Grace to you, and peace, from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins, so that he should deliver us out of the present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father; 5 to whom be glory to the ages of ages. Amen.

6  I wonder that ye thus quickly change, from him that called you in Christ’s grace, to a different gospel, 7  which is not another one; but there are some that trouble you, and desire to pervert the glad tidings of the Christ. 8  But if even we or an angel out of heaven announce as glad tidings to you anything besides what we have announced as glad tidings to you, let him be accursed. 9  As we have said before, now also again I say, If any one announce to you as glad tidings anything besides what ye have received, let him be accursed.

10  For do I now seek to satisfy men or God? or do I seek to please men? If I were yet pleasing men, I were not Christ’s bondman. 11  But I let you know, brethren, as to the glad tidings which were announced by me, that they are not according to man. 12  For neither did I receive them from man, neither was I taught them, but by revelation of Jesus Christ. 13  For ye have heard what was my conversation formerly in Judaism, that I excessively persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it; 14  and advanced in Judaism beyond many my contemporaries in my nation, being exceedingly zealous of the doctrines of my fathers. 15  But when God, who set me apart even from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16  was pleased to reveal his Son in me, that I may announce him as glad tidings among the nations, immediately I took not counsel with flesh and blood, 17  nor went I up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus. 18  Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to make acquaintance with Peter, and I remained with him fifteen days; 19  but I saw none other of the apostles, but James the brother of the Lord. 20  Now what I write to you, behold, before God, I do not lie. 21  Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22  But I was unknown personally to the assemblies of Judaea which are in Christ; 23  only they were hearing that he who persecuted us formerly now announces the glad tidings of the faith which formerly he ravaged: 24  and they glorified God in me.

Chapter 2

1  Then after a lapse of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me; 2  and I went up according to revelation, and I laid before them the glad tidings which I preach among the nations, but privately to those conspicuous among them, lest in any way I run or had run in vain; 3  (but neither was Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, compelled to be circumcised;) 4  and it was on account of the false brethren brought in surreptitiously, who came in surreptitiously to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; 5  to whom we yielded in subjection not even for an hour, that the truth of the glad tidings might remain with you. 6  But from those who were conspicuous as being somewhat—whatsoever they were, it makes no difference to me: God does not accept man’s person; for to me those who were conspicuous communicated nothing; 7  but, on the contrary, seeing that the glad tidings of the uncircumcision were confided to me, even as to Peter that of the circumcision, 8  (for he that wrought in Peter for the apostleship of the circumcision wrought also in me towards the Gentiles,) 9  and recognising the grace given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were conspicuous as being pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go to the nations, and they to the circumcision; 10  only that we should remember the poor, which same thing also I was diligent to do.

11  But when Peter came to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be condemned: 12  for before that certain came from James, he ate with those of the nations; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those of the circumcision; 13  and the rest of the Jews also played the same dissembling part with him; so that even Barnabas was carried away too by their dissimulation. 14  But when I saw that they do not walk straightforwardly, according to the truth of the glad tidings, I said to Peter before all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as the nations and not as the Jews, how dost thou compel the nations to Judaize?