1For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2Look! I, Paul, tell you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing! 3And again I testify to every man who becomes circumcised, that he is under obligation to keep the whole law. 4You are estranged from Christ, you who are attempting to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace. 5For through the Spirit by faith we eagerly await the hope of righteousness. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love. 7You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8This persuasion is not from the one who calls you! 9A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough. 10I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will think nothing different, but the one who is confusing you ˻will pay the penalty˼, whoever he may be. 11Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. 12I wish that the ones who are disturbing you would also ˻castrate themselves˼! 13For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 16But I say, live by the Spirit, and you will never carry out the desire of the flesh. 17For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are in opposition to one another, so that whatever you want, you may not do these things. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are sexual immorality, impurity, licentiousness, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, 21envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, things which I am telling you in advance, just as I said before, that the ones 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, self control. Against such things there is no law. 24Now those ˻who belong to Christ Jesus˼ have crucified the flesh together with its feelings and its desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. 26We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.