Freedom in Christ

1In freedom Christ set us free. Stand firm,† therefore, and do not be entangled again in a yoke of slavery.

2Behold, I, Paul, say to you⁺ that if you⁺ may become circumcised, Christ will profit you⁺ nothing. 3Now I testify again to every man becoming circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4You⁺ were severed from Christ, whoever are being justified in the law; you⁺ fell away from grace.

5For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly await the hope of righteousness. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any power, but faith working through love.

7You⁺ were running well. Who obstructed you⁺ not to obey the truth? 8This persuasion is not of the One calling you⁺. 9A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10I am confident as to you⁺ in the Lord that you⁺ will have no other mind. But the one troubling you⁺ will bear the judgment, whoever he might be.

11Now, brothers, if I still proclaim circumcision, why still am I persecuted? Then the offense of the cross has been nullified. 12I wish those upsetting you⁺ also will cut themselves off!

13For you⁺ were called to freedom, brothers, only not the freedom for an opportunity to the flesh. But serve one another through love. 14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”† 15But if you⁺ bite and devour one another, watch out, lest you⁺ might be consumed by one another.

Walking by the Spirit
(Ezekiel 36:16–38; Romans 8:9–11)

16Now I say, walk by the Spirit, and you⁺ shall never complete the desire of the flesh. 17For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. For these are opposed to one another so that the things you⁺ may want, these things you⁺ may not do. 18But if you⁺ are led by the Spirit, you⁺ are not under the law.

19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are† sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, hostilities,† strife,† jealousy,† outbursts of rage, rivalries, dissensions, factions, 21envies,† drunkennesses, carousings, and things like these, as to which I say to you⁺ beforehand, as also I said before, that those doing such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24Now those of Christ Jesus† crucified the flesh with the passions and the desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, we should also walk by the Spirit. 26We should not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Footnotes:

1 BYZ and TR In the freedom for which Christ has set us free, stand firm,
14 Leviticus 19:18
19 BYZ and TR include adultery.
20 Or hatred
20 CT and F35 quarreling or discord
20 BYZ and TR jealousies
21 BYZ and TR include murders.
24 BYZ and TR those of Christ