Galatians 5
1 In freedom (which *k*) us Christ has set free; do stand firm therefore and not again in a yoke of slavery do be entangled.
It is in order that we might live without (being obliged [to/having to]) [obey all the Jewish rituals] that Christ freed us [from God condemning us because of our disobeying those rituals]. So, firmly [reject the false teaching that someone must circumcise you, and] do not [live like] slaves again [MET] [by letting others force you to obey those rules and rituals again].
2 Behold I myself Paul say to you that if you shall become circumcised, Christ you no [thing] will profit;
Consider very carefully what I, Paul, [an apostle], now tell you: If, [to fulfill Jewish ritual laws], you are permitting yourself to be circumcised {someone to circumcise you}, what Christ [has done for you] will not benefit you at all.
3 I testify now again to every man being circumcised that a debtor he is all the Law to keep.
Instead, I solemnly declare again to every man who is circumcised {has someone circumcise him} [in order for God to accept him], that you must [perfectly] obey all of the laws [that God gave Moses, in order for God to save you].
4 You are severed from (*k*) Christ whoever in [the] Law are being justified, from grace you have fallen away.
Those of you who are sure that God will erase the record of your sins because you obey the laws [that God gave to Moses], you have separated yourselves from Christ. You have abandoned/rejected [God’s true method of saving you, which was] by kindly erasing the record of your sins, in a way that you did not deserve.
5 We ourselves for through [the] Spirit by faith [the] hope of righteousness eagerly await.
But we who have a relationship with Christ and who trust in Christ are eagerly waiting to receive what God’s Spirit assures us that we can expect. We can expect to receive it because God has erased the record of our sins.
6 In for Christ Jesus neither circumcision any has power nor uncircumcision but only faith through love working.
As for us who have a relationship with Christ Jesus, God is not concerned whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. Instead, God is concerned about whether we trust [in] Christ, with the result that we love [other people].
7 You were running well; Who you (impeded *N(k)O*) the truth not to obey?
You were progressing well [spiritually] [MET]. You should not have let someone influence you so that [now you] are not believing the true [message about Christ] [RHQ]!
8 [This] persuasion [is] not of the [One] calling you.
[God], the one who chose you, is not the one who is persuading you to think like this!
9 A little leaven whole the lump leavens.
[Remember that this false doctrine that someone is teaching you will affect all of you, just like] [MET] a little yeast causes all of the dough to swell up.
10 I myself have been confident as to you in [the] Lord that no [thing] other you will reason; The [one] however troubling you he will bear the judgment whoever (maybe *N(k)O*) he shall be.
[Nevertheless], because of my relationship with the Lord, I am certain that you will think only as I do [about forcing people to obey rules and rituals]. Furthermore, [God] will punish anyone who is confusing you [by teaching this false message], even if he is an important person.
11 I myself now, brothers, if circumcision still proclaim, why still am I persecuted? In that case has been abolished the offense of the cross.
But, my fellow believers, [although someone claims that I am proclaiming that men must be circumcised, I certainly am not still proclaiming that. Remember that the Jews are still] ([persecuting me/causing me to suffer]). If I were still proclaiming that men must be circumcised [in order for God to accept them], (the Jews would not be persecuting me./why would the Jews be persecuting me?) [RHQ] [They would] [RHQ] not be [persecuting me]/causing me to suffer [because] then [the Jews] would no longer be offended. [They] ([are offended/do not want to accept what I teach]) [because I proclaim that Christ, the Messiah, died on] the cross [MTY].
12 I wish also will emasculate themselves those upsetting you.
I [would even] wish that those who are disturbing you [by insisting that men be circumcised] would also emasculate [EUP] themselves, [with the result that they would be expelled from your congregations]!
13 You yourselves for to freedom were called, brothers; but not the freedom for an opportunity to the flesh, Rather through love do serve one another.
My fellow believers, [God] chose you in order that [you might live] without having to [obey rules and rituals]. But [do not assume that because] you are free [from having to obey rules and rituals], [God] permits you to [do whatever your] self-directed nature [desires]. Instead, constantly, as you love [each other], serve each other.
14 For the entire Law in one word (has been fulfilled *N(k)O*) in this You will love the neighbour of you as (yourself. *NK(O)*)
Keep in mind that we can sum up all of the laws [that God has] given us in one law, which is: “You must love each person you come in contact with, just like [you love] yourself.”
15 If however one another you bite and devour, do take heed lest by one another you may be consumed.
Since you are attacking and injuring [MET] each other [by the things that you say] [MET], I warn you that [if you continue doing that], you will totally ruin each other [spiritually].
16 I say now, by [the] Spirit do walk and [the] desire [of the] flesh certainly not you may gratify.
[So] I tell you this: Constantly let [God’s] Spirit direct you. [If you do that], you will certainly not do the things that your self-directed nature wants [you to do].
17 The for flesh desires against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; these (for *N(k)O*) to one another are opposed in order not that (maybe *N(k)O*) you shall wish those things you shall do.
Your self-directed nature (opposes [God’s] Spirit/does not [want you to do what] God’s Spirit [wants you to do]), but also his Spirit opposes your self-directed nature. These two are always (fighting with/opposing) each other. The result is that you do not [constantly] do the [good] deeds that you truly desire [to do].
18 If however by [the] Spirit you are led, not you are under [the] Law.
But when you are led by God’s Spirit {when God’s Spirit directs you}, you [can do what pleases God], now that you are no longer obligated [to obey all] the laws [that God gave Moses].
19 Evident now are the works of the flesh which are (adultery *K*) sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
[You already know] how [people think and] act [PRS] because of their self-directed nature. These are [some of the things that they do: People] are sexually immoral. [People] commit unnatural sexual acts. [People] act indecently.
20 idolatry, (sorcery, *NK(o)*) enmities, strife, (jealousy, *N(k)O*) outbursts of anger, contentions, dissensions, factions,
[People] worship false gods [and] things [that] represent those gods. [People] perform (rituals in order that evil spirits might act for them/sorcery). [People] are hostile [to others. People] quarrel [with each other. People] are (jealous/resent other people’s status). [People] behave angrily. [People] try (to get others to think highly of them/to exalt themselves) and (do not consider what others want/act selfishly). People do not associate [with others. People] associate only with those who agree [with them].
21 envyings, (murders *KO*) drunkennesses, carousing, and [things] like as these; which I forewarn you even as (also *k*) I warned before that those such things doing kingdom God’s not will inherit.
[People] want what others have. [People] get drunk. [People] (revel/participate in wild parties). And [people do other] things like these. I warn you [now], just like I warned [you previously], that the ones [who constantly] act [and think] like that will not receive [what] God [has for his own people when he begins] to rule over us.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
But [God’s] Spirit causes [us to do these things]: We love [others]. We are joyful. We are peaceful. We are patient. We are kind. We are good. We are [ones whom] others can trust.
23 gentleness, self-control; against [things] such no there is law.
We are gentle. We control our behavior. There is no law that says people should not [think and act in such ways].
24 Those now of Christ (Jesus *NO*) the flesh crucified with [its] passions and desires.
Furthermore, we who belong to Christ Jesus have [stopped obeying] our self-directed nature and [stopped doing] all the evil things that we desire to do [MET]. [It is as though] [MET] we nailed them to the cross!
25 If we live by [the] Spirit, by [the] Spirit also we shall walk.
Since [God’s] Spirit has caused us to [be spiritually] alive, we should [conduct our lives the way the] Spirit [directs us].
26 Not we may become boastful, one another provoking, one another envying.
We should not be saying how great we are. We should not be making ourselves more important than others. We should not envy each other.
