1 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm,  * then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.  *2 Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.  *5 For we eagerly await  * through the Spirit, by faith, the hope  * of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith  * working through love.  *

7 You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?  *8 This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.  *9 A little leaven  * leavens the whole batch of dough. 10 I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.  *11 Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross  * has been abolished. 12 I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!

13 For you were called  * to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity  * for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled  * in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.*,*15 But if you bite and devour  * one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit  * and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires  * what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.  *18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious:  * sexual immorality,  * moral impurity,  * promiscuity,  *20 idolatry,  * sorcery,  * hatreds,  * strife,  * jealousy,  * outbursts of anger,  * selfish ambitions,  * dissensions,  * factions,  *21 envy,  *,* drunkenness, carousing,  * and anything similar. I am warning you about these things — as I warned you before — 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.  * The law is not against such things.  *24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus  * have crucified the flesh  * with its passions and desires.  *25 If we live  * by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.  *