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, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

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

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

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

For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives 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 each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

5 E veryone must do his own work.

For each one will bear his own load.

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

The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.

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

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also 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 the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one 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.

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

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, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the 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 to you with my own hand.

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 desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

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 those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.

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 may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which 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 anything, 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.

And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and 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 one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.

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

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.