1Therefore, stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and do not be held again in a yoke of bondage.

2Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you become circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing! 3Again, I am personally testifying to every man who is being circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4You who are attempting to be justified by works of law, you are being deprived of any spiritual effect from Christ. You have fallen from grace! 5For we through the Spirit are waiting for the hope of righteousness by faith; 6Because in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision of any force, nor uncircumcision; rather, it is the inner working of faith through love.

7You were running well. Who hindered you, persuading you not to obey the truth? 8This persuasion is not coming from Him who calls you. 9A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10I am persuaded concerning you in the Lord that you will be otherwise minded; and he who troubles you shall bear the judgment, whoever he may be. 11But I, brethren, if I still proclaim circumcision, why am I yet being persecuted? Then the offense of the cross has been taken away. 12I would that they would even make themselves eunuchs--those who are throwing you into confusion.

13For you have been called unto freedom, brethren; only do not use this freedom for an occasion to the flesh; rather, serve one another with love. 14For the whole law is fulfilled in this commandment: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15But if you bite and devour one another, watch out lest you be consumed by one another.

16Now this I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these things are opposed to each other, so that you cannot do those things you wish to do. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under works of law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strifes, jealousies, indignations, contentions, divisions, sects, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such things as these; concerning which I am telling you beforehand, even as I have also said in the past, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24But those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.

25If we live by the Spirit, we should also be walking by the Spirit. 26We should not become vain-glorious, provoking one another and envying one another.