1 B rothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.

Christian 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.

2 B ear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

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

3 F or if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

If anyone thinks he is important when he is nothing, he is fooling himself.

4 B ut let each man test his own work, and then he will take pride in himself and not in his neighbor.

Everyone 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.

5 F or each man will bear his own burden.

Everyone must do his own work.

6 B ut let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.

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

7 D on’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

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

8 F or he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

If 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.

9 L et us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.

Do 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.

10 S o then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

Because 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

11 S ee with what large letters I write to you with my own hand.

See what big letters I make when I write to you with my own hand.

12 A s many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

Those 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.

13 F or even they who receive circumcision don’t keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.

Those 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.

14 B ut far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

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.

15 F or in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

If 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.

16 A s many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel.

Those who follow this way will have God’s peace and loving-kindness. They are the people of God.

17 F rom now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body.

Let 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.

18 T he grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

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