Chapter 5

Walk by the Spirit

1 1aIt was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore bkeep standing firm and do not be subject again to a cyoke of slavery.

2 Behold I, aPaul, say to you that if you receive bcircumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.

3 And I atestify again to every man who receives bcircumcision, that he is under obligation to ckeep the whole Law.

4 You have been severed from Christ, you who 1are seeking to be justified by law; you have afallen from grace.

5 For we 1through the Spirit, 2by faith, are awaiting for the hope of righteousness.

6 For in aChrist Jesus bneither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but cfaith working through love.

7 You were arunning well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?

8 This persuasion did not come from aHim who calls you.

9 aA little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.

10 aI have confidence 1in you in the Lord that you bwill adopt no other view; but the one who is cdisturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.

11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still apersecuted? Then bthe stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.

12 I wish that athose who are troubling you would even 1bmutilate themselves.

13 For you were called to afreedom, brethren; bonly do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love cserve one another.

14 For athe whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “bYou shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

15 But if you abite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

16 But I say, awalk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out bthe desire of the flesh.

17 For athe flesh 1sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, bso that you may not do the things that you 2please.

18 But if you are aled by the Spirit, byou are not under the Law.

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: 1aimmorality, impurity, sensuality,

20 idolatry, asorcery, enmities, bstrife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, cdisputes, dissensions, 1dfactions,

21 envying, adrunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not binherit the kingdom of God.

22 But athe fruit of the Spirit is blove, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, aself-control; against such things bthere is no law.

24 Now those who 1belong to aChrist Jesus have bcrucified the flesh with its passions and cdesires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also 1walk aby the Spirit.

26 Let us not become aboastful, challenging one another, envying one another.