1 STAND firm, therefore, in the freedom with which Christ set us free, and do not wear any yoke of slavery.

2 See, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no use to you.

3 I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is under obligation to carry out the whole Law.

4 You have put an end to Christ's work for you, you who are declared righteous by law; you have fallen away from grace.

5 For we in the Spirit because of faith are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

6 For in Christ Jesus neither has circumcision any value nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.

7 You were running finely. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

8 The persuasion was not from him who called you.

9 A little yeast sets the whole lump fermenting.

10 I am persuaded in regard to you in the Lord that you will have no other mind. He who is troubling you must bear his condemnation, whoever he may be.

11 But I, brethren, if I am still proclaiming circumcision, why am I persecuted? Then the offensiveness of the cross has been done away.

12 Would that those who are troubling you would even cut off all!

13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not let your freedom be an opportunity for the flesh, but in love be servants to one another.

14 For the whole Law is summed up in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

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

16 I say, walk in the Spirit and you will not carry out the passions of the flesh.

17 For the flesh has passions contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit contrary to the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do whatever you wish.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under law.

19 The works of the flesh are obvious, such as unchastity, impurity, indecency,

20 idolatry, magic, hatred, strife, jealousy, anger, rivalries, dissensions, factions,

21 envyings, drinking bouts, revelries, and the like. Of these I tell you beforehand, as I have already told 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, slowness to anger, kindness, benevolence, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its emotions and passions.

25 If we are living in the Spirit let us direct our lives by the Spirit.

26 Let us not be vainglorious, irritating one another, envying one another.