1It was for freedom that Christ has set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen away from grace. 5For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love. 7You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8This persuasion did not come from him who calls you. 9A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine; and the one who is troubling you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11But if I, brethren, still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. 12I wish that those who are troubling you would mutilate themselves! 13For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, »You shall love your neighbor as yourself.« 15But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you would. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, lewdness, 20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do 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. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.