Galatians

1O senseless Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth, crucified among you?

2This only would I learn of you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3Are you so foolish, that, whereas you began in the Spirit, you would now be made perfect by the flesh?

4Have you suffered so great things in vain? If it be yet in vain.

5He therefore who giveth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you; doth he do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of the faith?

6As it is written: Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice.

7Know ye therefore, that they who are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

8And the scripture, foreseeing, that God justifieth the Gentiles by faith, told unto Abraham before: In thee shall all nations be blessed.

9Therefore they that are of faith, shall be blessed with faithful Abraham.

10For as many as are of the works of the law, are under a curse. For it is written: Cursed is every one, that abideth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law to do them.

11But that in the law no man is justified with God, it is manifest: because the just man liveth by faith.

12But the law is not of faith: but, He that doth those things, shall live in them.

13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus: that we may receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.

15Brethren (I speak after the manner of man,) yet a man’s testament, if it be confirmed, no man despiseth, nor addeth to it.

16To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not, And to his seeds, as of many: but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

17Now this I say, that the testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years, doth not disannul, to make the promise of no effect.

18For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.

19Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come, to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

20Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one.

21Was the law then against the promises of God? God forbid. For if there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law.

22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe.

23But before the faith came, we were kept under the law shut up, unto that faith which was to be revealed.

24Wherefore the law was our pedagogue in Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25But after the faith is come, we are no longer under a pedagogue.

26For you are all the children of God by faith, in Christ Jesus.

27For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ.

28There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29And if you be Christ’s, then are you the seed of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.

Faith and Belief

1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

3Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?

4Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?

5Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?

6So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

7Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.

8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”

9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Christ Has Redeemed Us

10All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

11Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”

12The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

14He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abrahamwould come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The Purpose of the Law

15Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended.

16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,”meaning One, who is Christ.

17What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise.

18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.

19Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.

20A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.

21Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.

22But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.

23Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.

24So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Sons through Faith in Christ

26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.