who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age according to the will of our God and Father,

I ¹  was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my nation, ²  and was ³  extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. ⁴ 

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.

But I was personally ¹  unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.

Now before faith ¹  came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners ²  until the coming faith would be revealed.

I wish I could be with you now and change my tone of voice, ¹  because I am perplexed about you.

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

You were running well; who prevented you from obeying ¹  the truth?

and when James, Cephas, ¹  and John, who had a reputation as ²  pillars, ³  recognized ⁴  the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me ⁵  the right hand of fellowship, agreeing ⁶  that we would go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. ⁷ 

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.

For freedom ¹  Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke ²  of slavery.

Where then is your sense of happiness ¹  now? For I testify about you that if it were possible, you would have pulled out your eyes and given them to me!