Freedom in Christ
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Behold, I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will benefit you nothing.
3 Again I testify to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.
5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly await the hope of righteousness.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
8 This persuasion is not from Him who calls you.
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
10 I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will take no other view; and the one who is troubling you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? Then the offence of the cross has been removed.
12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
Life by the Spirit
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say: walk by the Spirit, and you will not fulfil the desires of the flesh.
17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit what is against the flesh; these are opposed to one another, so that you may not 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 evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality;
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, factions,
21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 And 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 boastful, provoking one another, envying one another.
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