1 C hristian brothers, if a person is found doing some sin, you who are stronger Christians should lead that one back into the right way. Do not be proud as you do it. Watch yourself, because you may be tempted also.

Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.

2 H elp each other in troubles and problems. This is the kind of law Christ asks us to obey.

Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking.

3 I f anyone thinks he is important when he is nothing, he is fooling himself.

For if any person thinks himself to be somebody when he is nobody, he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.

4 E veryone should look at himself and see how he does his own work. Then he can be happy in what he has done. He should not compare himself with his neighbor.

But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable '> in itself alone] without boastful comparison with his neighbor.

5 E veryone must do his own work.

For every person will have to bear ( be equal to understanding and calmly receive) his own '> little] load.

6 H e who is taught God’s Word should share the good things he has with his teacher.

Let him who receives instruction in the Word share all good things with his teacher.

7 D o not be fooled. You cannot fool God. A man will get back whatever he plants!

Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.

8 I f a man does things to please his sinful old self, his soul will be lost. If a man does things to please the Holy Spirit, he will have life that lasts forever.

For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

9 D o not let yourselves get tired of doing good. If we do not give up, we will get what is coming to us at the right time.

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

10 B ecause of this, we should do good to everyone. For sure, we should do good to those who belong to Christ. The Christian’s Pride Should Be in the Cross

So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good '> morally] to all people '> being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith.

11 S ee what big letters I make when I write to you with my own hand.

See with what large letters I am writing with my own hand. '> Mark carefully these closing words of mine.]

12 T hose men who say you must go through the religious act of becoming a Jew are doing it because they want to make a good show in front of the world. They do this so they will not have to suffer because of following the way of the cross of Christ.

Those who want to make a good impression and a fine show in the flesh would try to compel you to receive circumcision, simply so that they may escape being persecuted for allegiance to the cross of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

13 T hose who have gone through the religious act of becoming a Jew do not even keep the Law themselves. But they want you to go through that religious act so they can be proud that you are their followers.

For even the circumcised themselves do not keep the Law, but they want to have you circumcised in order that they may glory in your flesh (your subjection to external rites).

14 I do not want to be proud of anything except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of the cross, the ways of this world are dead to me, and I am dead to them.

But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!

15 I f a person does or does not go through the religious act of becoming a Jew, it is worth nothing. The important thing is to become a new person.

For neither is circumcision of any importance, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

16 T hose who follow this way will have God’s peace and loving-kindness. They are the people of God.

Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, even upon the Israel of God!

17 L et no one make trouble for me from now on. For I have on my body the whip marks of one who has been a servant owned by Jesus.

From now on let no person trouble me '> making it necessary for me to vindicate my apostolic authority and the divine truth of my Gospel], for I bear on my body the marks of the Lord Jesus!

18 C hristian brothers, may the loving-favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Let it be so.

The grace (spiritual favor, blessing) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah) be with your spirit, brethren. Amen (so be it).