20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.

Hagar and Sarah

21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says?22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.23His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.24These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar.25Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.26But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.29At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now.30But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”31Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

Freedom in Christ

1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

2Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.3Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.4You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness.6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.

7You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth?8Such persuasion does not come from the One who calls you.9A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough.10I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.

11Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.12As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!

13For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.14The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”15But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

Walking by the Spirit

16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.17For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;20idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.

Carry One Another’s Burdens

1Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.2Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.4Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.5For each one should carry his own load.

6Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.

7Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.8The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.9Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Final Warnings and Blessings

11See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.13For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.14But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.15For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.16Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.

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

18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Paul’s Greeting to the Ephesians

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Blessings

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.4For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love5He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,6to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace8that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.9And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ10as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.11In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory.13And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,14who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.