To the Galatians
2 Then after fourteen years I again went up to Jerusalem+ with Barʹna·bas,+ taking also Titus along with me. 2 But I went up as a result of a revelation.+ And I laid before them+ the good news which I am preaching* among the nations, privately, however, before those who were outstanding men, for fear that somehow I was running+ or had run in vain.+ 3 Nevertheless, not even Titus,+ who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised,+ although he was a Greek. 4 But because of the false brothers+ brought in quietly,+ who sneaked in to spy upon our freedom+ which we have in union with Christ Jesus, that they might completely enslave+ us— 5 to these we did not yield by way of submission,+ no, not for an hour, in order that the truth+ of the good news might continue with YOU.
6 But on the part of those who seemed to be something+—whatever sort of men they formerly were makes no difference to me+—God* does not go by a man’s outward appearance+—to me, in fact, those outstanding men imparted nothing new. 7 But, on the contrary, when they saw that I had entrusted+ to me the good news for those who are uncircumcised,*+ just as Peter [had it] for those who are circumcised*+— 8 for He who gave Peter powers necessary for an apostleship to those who are circumcised gave powers also to me+ for those who are of the nations; 9 yes, when they came to know the undeserved kindness+ that was given me,+ James+ and Ceʹphas and John, the ones who seemed to be pillars,+ gave me and Barʹna·bas+ the right hand of sharing together,+ that we should go to the nations, but they to those who are circumcised. 10 Only we should keep the poor in mind.+ This very thing I have also earnestly endeavored to do.+
11 However, when Ceʹphas+ came to Antioch,+ I resisted* him face to face, because he stood condemned.+ 12 For before the arrival of certain men from James,+ he used to eat+ with people of the nations; but when they arrived, he went withdrawing and separating himself, in fear+ of those of the circumcised class.*+ 13 The rest of the Jews also joined him in putting on this pretense,+ so that even Barʹna·bas+ was led along with them in their pretense.* 14 But when I saw they were not walking straight according to the truth of the good news,+ I said to Ceʹphas before them all:+ “If you, though you are a Jew, live as the nations do, and not as Jews do, how is it that you are compelling people of the nations to live according to Jewish practice?”+
15 We who are Jews by nature,+ and not sinners+ from the nations, 16 knowing as we do that a man is declared righteous,*+ not due to works of law, but only through faith+ toward Christ Jesus, even we have put our faith in Christ Jesus, that we may be declared righteous due to faith toward Christ,+ and not due to works of law, because due to works of law no flesh will be declared righteous.+ 17 Now if we, in seeking to be declared righteous by means of Christ,+ have also ourselves been found sinners,+ is Christ in reality sin’s minister?+ May that never happen! 18 For if the very things that I once threw down I build up again,+ I demonstrate myself to be a transgressor.+ 19 As for me, through law I died toward law,+ that I might become alive toward God.+ 20 I am impaled* along with Christ.+ It is no longer I that live,+ but it is Christ that is living in union with me.+ Indeed, the life that I now live+ in flesh I live by the faith that is toward the Son of God, who loved me and handed himself over for me.+ 21 I do not shove aside the undeserved kindness of God;+ for if righteousness is through law,+ Christ actually died for nothing.+