The Letter to the Galatians

1Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Yeshua the Messiah and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead— 2and all the brothers with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah, 4who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

6I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of the Messiah and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is no gospel at all, but there are some who are troubling you and seeking to distort the gospel of the Messiah. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!

10Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of the Messiah. 11For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man. 12I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Yeshua the Messiah.

13For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism [Pharisaic system], how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14I was advancing in Judaism [Pharisaic system] beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers [oral law]. 15But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by His grace, was pleased 16to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not consult with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.

18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. 20I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie. 21Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in the Messiah. 23They only kept hearing: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." 24And they glorified God because of me.

1Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so privately before those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. 3Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised [proselyte gate], even though he was a Greek.

4This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on the freedom we have in the Messiah Yeshua, in order to enslave us. 5We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. 6But as for the highly esteemed—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—those leaders added nothing to me.

7On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. 8For the One who was at work in Peter's apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles. 9And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

11When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group. 13The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. 14When I saw that they were not walking in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, "If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews [judaize]?"

15We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile "sinners" 16know that a man is not justified by works of the law [halakhah / sacrifices], but by faith in Yeshua the Messiah [or: His faithfulness]. So we, too, have believed in the Messiah Yeshua, that we may be justified by faith in the Messiah and not by works of the law [halakhah / sacrifices], because by works of the law [halakhah / sacrifices] no one will be justified. 17But if, while we seek to be justified in the Messiah, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make the Messiah a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18If I rebuild what I have already torn down, I prove myself to be a lawbreaker.

19For through the law [Torah + Spirit] I died to the law [sacrificial + halakhic system], so that I might live to God. 20I have been crucified with the Messiah, and I no longer live, but the Messiah lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God [or: His faithfulness], who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law [sacrificial system], then the Messiah died for nothing.

1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Yeshua the Messiah 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 [halakhah / sacrifices], 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 [halakhah / sacrifices], 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.

10All who rely on works of the law [halakhah / sacrifices] 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 [Written Torah]." 11Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law [sacrificial system], because, "The righteous will live by faith." 12The law [sacrificial system], however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." 13The Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the law [sacrificial system + death] 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 Abraham would come to the Gentiles in the Messiah Yeshua, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

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 the Messiah. 17What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later [sin-sacrifices + Levitical priesthood] does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18For if the inheritance depends on the law [sacrificial system], then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.

19Why then was the law [sacrificial administration] given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels [angels? priests?] by a mediator. 20A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one. 21Is the law [sacrificial administration], then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law [sacrificial administration] had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law [sacrificial administration]. 22But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Yeshua the Messiah [or: His faithfulness] the promise might be given to those who believe.

23Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law [sacrificial system], locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law [Levitical guardian] became our guardian to lead us to the Messiah, that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26You are all sons of God through faith in the Messiah Yeshua. 27For all of you who were baptized into the Messiah have clothed yourselves with the Messiah. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in the Messiah Yeshua. 29And if you belong to the Messiah, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.

1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world [man-made system]. 4But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law [institutional system], 5to redeem those under the law [institutional system], that we might receive our adoption as sons.

6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God. 8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those who by nature are not gods [paganism]. 9But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles [man-made system]? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years [imposed calendar rules]! 11I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain.

12I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. 13You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were the Messiah Yeshua Himself. 15What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17Those people are zealous for you, but for no good purpose. They want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. 18Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you. 19My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until the Messiah is formed in you, 20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.

21Tell me, you who want to be under the law [proselyte system], do you not understand what the law [Written Torah] 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 [allegory], 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 [Pharisaic establishment], because she is in slavery with her children.

26But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27For it is written: "Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband." 28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of the 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? "Cast out 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.

1It is for freedom that the Messiah has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery [proselyte + halakhic yoke]. 2Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised [proselyte gate], the Messiah will be of no value to you at all. 3Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised [proselyte gate] that he is obligated to obey the whole law [proselyte package]. 4You who are trying to be justified by the law [sacrificial system] have been severed from the Messiah; you have fallen away from grace. 5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness. 6For in the Messiah Yeshua neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself 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 [Written Torah] 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.

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 [system's condemnation].

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 [Written Torah]. 24Those who belong to the Messiah Yeshua 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.

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 Torah of the Messiah [Written Torah]. 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.

6Now 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 believers.

11See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand. 12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised [proselyte gate]. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of the Messiah. 13For the circumcised do not even keep the law [Written Torah] themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.

14But as for me, may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, 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 Yeshua. 18The grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.