Chapter 5
1 Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free , and don’ t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage .
2 Behold , I , Paul , tell you that if you receive circumcision , Christ will profit you nothing .
3 Yes , I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is a debtor to do the whole law .
4 You are alienated from Christ , you who desire to be justified by the law . You have fallen away from grace .
5 For we through the Spirit , by faith wait for the hope of righteousness .
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision amounts to anything , but faith working through love.
7 You were running well ! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you .
9 A little yeast grows through the whole lump .
10 I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way . But he who troubles you will bear his judgment , whoever he is .
11 But I , brothers, if I still preach circumcision , why am I still persecuted ? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed .
12 I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off.
13 For you , brothers, were called for freedom . Only don’ t use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh , but through love be servants to one another .
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word , in this : " You shall love your neighbor as yourself ."
15 But if you bite and devour one another , be careful that you don’t consume one another .
16 But I say , walk by the Spirit , and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh .
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit , and the Spirit against the flesh ; and these are contrary to one another , that you may not do the things that you desire .
18 But if you are led by the Spirit , you are not under the law .
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious , which are : adultery, sexual immorality , uncleanness, lustfulness,
20 idolatry , sorcery , hatred , strife , jealousies, outbursts of anger , rivalries, divisions , heresies,
21 envy , murders, drunkenness , orgies, and things like these ; of which I forewarn you , even as I also forewarned you , that those who practice such things will not inherit God ’s Kingdom.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy , peace , patience , kindness , goodness , faith ,
23 gentleness , and self-control . Against such things there is no law .
24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts .
25 If we live by the Spirit , let ’s also walk by the Spirit .
26 Let ’s not become conceited , provoking one another, and envying one another.