1 B rethren, if a man also may be overtaken in any trespass, ye who spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering thyself -- lest thou also may be 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 o f one another the burdens bear ye, and so fill up the law of the Christ,

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

3 f or if any one doth think to be something -- being nothing -- himself he doth deceive;

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

4 a nd his own work let each one prove, and then in regard to himself alone the glorying he shall have, and not in regard to the other,

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 one his own burden shall bear.

Everyone must do his own work.

6 A nd let him who is instructed in the word share with him who is instructing -- in all good things.

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

7 B e not led astray; God is not mocked; for what a man may sow -- that also he shall reap,

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

8 b ecause he who is sowing to his own flesh, of the flesh shall reap corruption; and he who is sowing to the Spirit, of the Spirit shall reap life age-during;

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 a nd in the doing good we may not be faint-hearted, for at the proper time we shall reap -- not desponding;

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 t herefore, then, as we have opportunity, may we work the good to all, and especially unto those 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 Y e see in how large letters I have written 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 are willing to make a good appearance in the flesh, these constrain you to be circumcised -- only that for the cross of the Christ they may not be persecuted,

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 neither do those circumcised themselves keep the law, but they wish you to be circumcised, that in your flesh they may glory.

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 A nd for me, let it not be -- to glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which to me the world hath been crucified, 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 circumcision availeth 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 nd as many as by this rule do walk -- peace upon them, and kindness, and on the Israel of God!

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

17 H enceforth, let no one give me trouble, for I the scars of the Lord Jesus in my body do bear.

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 with your spirit, brethren! Amen.

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