But when I saw that they were not behaving consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas ¹  in front of them all, “If you, although you are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you try to force ²  the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

You who are trying to be declared righteous ¹  by the law have been alienated ²  from Christ; you have fallen away from grace!

Brothers and sisters, ¹  I offer an example from everyday life: ²  When a covenant ³  has been ratified, ⁴  even though it is only a human contract, no one can set it aside or add anything to it.

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. ¹  Scripture ²  does not say, “and to the descendants,” ³  referring to many, but “and to your descendant,” ⁴  referring to one, who is Christ.

and though my physical condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. ¹  Instead, you welcomed me as though I were an angel of God, ²  as though I were Christ Jesus himself! ³ 

because the person who sows to his own flesh ¹  will reap corruption ²  from the flesh, ³  but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.

I assure you ¹  that, before God, I am not lying about what I am writing to you! ² 

But the law is not based on faith, ¹  but the one who does the works of the law ²  will live by them. ³ 

Now an intermediary is not for one party alone, but God is one. ¹ 

My children – I am again undergoing birth pains until Christ is formed in you! ¹ 

And I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey ¹  the whole law.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight – the only thing that matters is faith working through love. ¹ 

Now I mean that the heir, as long as he is a minor, ¹  is no different from a slave, though he is the owner ²  of everything.

However, it is good ¹  to be sought eagerly ²  for a good purpose ³  at all times, and not only when I am present with you.