1 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?

You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

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

This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

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

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

4 H ave you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

Did you suffer so many things in vain— if indeed it was in vain?

5 T herefore 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?—

So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

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

Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

7 T herefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

8 A nd 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.”

The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ All the nations will be blessed in you. ”

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

So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

10 F or 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.”

For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “ Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”

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

Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “ The righteous man shall live by faith.”

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

However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “ He who practices them shall live by them.”

13 C hrist 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” ),

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

in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Intent of the Law

15 B rethren, 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.

Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.

16 N ow 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.

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “ And to your seed,” that is, Christ.

17 A nd 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.

What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

18 F or 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

For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

19 W hat 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.

Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.

20 N ow a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.

21 I s 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.

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.

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

But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

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

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.

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

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

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

But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

26 F or you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

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

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

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

28 T here 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.

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

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

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.