1 ¶ O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you that ye should not trust in the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?

2 T his only would I learn of you, Did ye receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the obedient ear of faith?

This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3 A re ye so foolish? having begun by the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

4 H ave ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

5 H e therefore that gives unto you the Spirit and does works of power among you, does he do it by the works of the law or by the obedient ear of faith?

Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—

6 ¶ Even as Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

7 K now ye therefore that those who are of faith, the same are the sons of Abraham.

Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

8 A nd the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles through faith, evangelized Abraham in advance, saying, In thee shall all the Gentiles be blessed.

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”

9 S o then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. The Law Brings a Curse

10 F or as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

11 B ut that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident, for The just shall live by faith.

But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

12 A nd the law is not of faith, but The man that does the commandments shall live by them.

Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

13 C hrist has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, (for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree),

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” ),

14 T hat the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. The Changeless Promise

15 B rethren, (I speak after the manner of men) Even when a covenant is of man, once it is confirmed, no one cancels it or adds to it.

Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.

16 N ow to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He did not say, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.

17 A nd this I say that regarding the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot cancel it, that it should make the promise of no effect.

And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.

18 F or if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Purpose of the Law

19 ¶ For what then serves the law? It was added because of rebellions until the seed should come to whom the promise was made, and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.

20 N ow a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

21 I s the law then against the promises of God? No, in no wise, for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.

22 B ut the scripture has concluded all under sin that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to the believers.

But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23 B ut before faith came, we were under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.

24 T herefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 B ut when faith is come, we are no longer under the hand of the schoolmaster.

But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Sons and Heirs

26 F or ye are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

27 F or as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 H ere there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

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

29 A nd if ye are Christ’s, then ye are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

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