1 Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us
free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I,
Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you
nothing. 3 Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision,
that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 You are alienated from
Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen
away from grace. 5 For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope
of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to
anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love. 7 You
were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the
truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little
yeast grows through the whole lump. 10 I have confidence toward you in the
Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear
his judgment, whoever he is.
11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still
persecuted? Then the stumbling-block of the cross has been removed. 12 I
wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off. 13 For you,
brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to
the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. 14 For the whole
law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that
you don’t consume one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and
you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts
against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary
to one other, that you may not do the things that you desire.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual
immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which
I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such
things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such
things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the
flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s also
walk by the Spirit. 26 Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another,
and envying one another.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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