Christian Liberty

5 Stand a 1fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a byoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that cif you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised dthat he is 2a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 eYou have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; fyou have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly gwait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For hin Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but ifaith working through love.

Love Fulfills the Law

7 You jran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 kA little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, lwhy do I still suffer persecution? Then mthe offense of the cross has ceased. 12 nI could wish that those owho trouble you would even 3cut themselves off!

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only pdo not use liberty as an qopportunity for the flesh, but rthrough love serve one another. 14 For sall the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: t“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Walking in the Spirit

16 I say then: uWalk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For vthe flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, wso that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But xif you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now ythe works of the flesh are evident, which are: 4adultery, 5fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, 6murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that zthose who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But athe fruit of the Spirit is blove, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, cgoodness, dfaithfulness, 23 7gentleness, self-control. eAgainst such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s fhave crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 gIf we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 hLet us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Bear and Share the Burdens

6 Brethren, if a man is 1overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of agentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 bBear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill cthe law of Christ. 3 For dif anyone thinks himself to be something, when ehe is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But flet each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and gnot in another. 5 For heach one shall bear his own load.

Be Generous and Do Good

6 iLet him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for jwhatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap keverlasting life. 9 And llet us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap mif we do not lose heart. 10 nTherefore, as we have opportunity, olet us do good to all, pespecially to those who are of the household of faith.

Glory Only in the Cross

11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, qonly that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the rcross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by 2whom the world has been crucified to me, and sI to the world. 15 For tin Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Blessing and a Plea

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.