Galatians 5–6

⁵For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.^*

The Nature of Christian Freedom

²Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that, if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. ⁴You who want to be reckoned as righteous^c by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.^{* 5}For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.^{* 6}For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working^d through love.^*

⁷You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth?^{* 8}Such persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ⁹A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. ¹⁰I am confident about you in the Lord that you will not think otherwise. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.^{* 11}But my brothers and sisters, why am I still being persecuted if I am still preaching circumcision? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. ¹²I wish those who unsettle you would castrate themselves!

¹³For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence,^e but through love become enslaved to one another.^{* 14}For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”^{* 15}If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

The Works of the Flesh

¹⁶Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.^{* 17}For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.^{* 18}But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law.^{* 19}Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery,^{* 20}idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, ²¹envy,^f drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.^*

The Fruit of the Spirit

²²By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,^{* 23}gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. ²⁴And those who belong to Christ^g have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.^{* 25}If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

Bear One Another’s Burdens

⁶My brothers and sisters, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. ²Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill^h the law of Christ.^{* 3}For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves.^{* 4}All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride.^{* 5}For all must carry their own loads.

⁶Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.^*

⁷Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.^{* 8}If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh, but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit.^{* 9}So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.^{* 10}So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith.^*

Final Admonitions and Benediction

¹¹See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! ¹²It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.^{* 13}Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. ¹⁴May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whichⁱ the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.^{* 15}For^j neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything, but a new creation is everything!^{* 16}As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

¹⁷From now on, let no one make trouble for me, for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body.^*

¹⁸May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.