Modern Literal Version
[Galatians 1]
1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who lifted him up from the dead), 1:2 and all the brethren who are with me, to the congregations of Galatia: 1:3 grace to you* and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 1:4 who gave himself concerning our sins, *that he might liberate us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father: 1:5 to whom is the glory forever and ever. Amen.
1:6 I marvel that you* are so quickly transferring yourselves from him who called you* in the grace of Christ to a different good-news; 1:7 which is not another good-news, except now there are some who are disturbing you* and wish to pervert the good-news of Christ. 1:8 But even if we or a messenger from heaven, should proclaim to you* any good-news contrary to what we proclaimed to you*, let him be accursed. 1:9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone proclaims to you* any good-news other than what you* received, let him be accursed. 1:10 For* am I now persuading men or God? Or am I seeking to please men? For* if I were still pleasing men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
1:11 For* I am making known to you*, brethren, the good-news which was proclaimed by me, that it is not according to man. 1:12 For* I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 1:13 For* you* have heard of my previous conduct in Judaism, how that I surpassingly persecuted the congregation of God and made havoc of it; 1:14 and how I progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own race, possessing even-more zealousness for the ancestral traditions. 1:15 But when God was delighted– he separated* me from my mother's womb, having called me through his grace, 1:16 to reveal his Son in me, that* I may proclaim him among the nations. Immediately, I did not consult with flesh and blood; 1:17 nor did I go up into Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and I returned again into Damascus.
1:18 Thereafter, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to become-acquainted with Peter and remained with him fifteen days. 1:19 But I did not see any other of the apostles, except James the Lord's brother. 1:20 Now concerning the things which I write to you*, behold, in the sight of God, I am not lying. 1:21 Thereafter I came to the districts of Syria and Cilicia. 1:22 And I was still unrecognized by face to the congregations of Judea which were in Christ; 1:23 but they were only hearing that, He who previously persecuted us is now proclaiming the good-news of the faith of which he previously made havoc. 1:24 And they glorified God in me.
[Galatians 2]
2:1 Thereafter after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, also taking Titus with me. 2:2 And I went up according to revelation, and I submitted to them the good-news which I am preaching among the Gentiles, (but privately before those of repute), lest I might be running or had run in vain.
2:3 But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was urged to be circumcised. 2:4 But it was because of false brethren who were smuggled in, who entered in beside us to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, that* they might enslave us; 2:5 to whom, even for an hour, we did not yield to their subjection; in order that the truth of the good-news might remain with you*.
2:6 Now nothing was contributed to me from those of repute and from those reputed to be someone (what sort of person they were previously, carries nothing of any-value to me; God does not accept the countenance of man). 2:7 But instead, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the good-news of the uncircumcision, just-as Peter had been with the good-news of the circumcision 2:8 (for* he who worked in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision also worked in me to the Gentiles). 2:9 and having known the grace which was given to me, James and Cephas and John, (those reputed to be pillars), gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, that* indeed we should go to the Gentiles and they should go to the circumcision, 2:10 adding only that* we should remember the poor; which I was diligent also to do this same thing.
2:11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be condemned. 2:12 For* he was eating with the Gentiles before some came from James. But when they came, he shrank-back and separated* himself, fearing those who were from the circumcision. 2:13 And the rest of the Jews were also hypocrites with him; so-that even Barnabas was led away by their hypocrisy. 2:14 But when I saw that they are not acting-uprightly according to the truth of the good-news, I said to Peter in front of them all, If you, being* a Jew, are living like a Gentile and not like a Jew, why do you urge the Gentiles to live like Jews?
2:15 We are Jews by nature and not sinners from the Gentiles; 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified from the works of the law, if it is not through faith in Jesus Christ also we believed in Christ Jesus, that* we might be justified from our faith in Christ and not from the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified from the works of the law.
2:17 But if seeking to be justified in Christ; if we ourselves were also found to be sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Let it not happen! 2:18 For* if I build up again those things which I have torn-down, I establish myself as a transgressor. 2:19 For* through the law I died to the law, that* I might live to God.
2:20 I have been crucified together with Christ. I am now no longer living, but Christ is living in me and that life which I am now living in the flesh, I am living in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved* me and gave himself up on my behalf. 2:21 I am not nullifying the grace of God; for* if righteousness is through the law, consequently, Christ died undeservedly.
[Galatians 3]
3:1 O foolish Galatians, who bewitched you* not to obey the truth, before whose eyes, Jesus Christ was portrayed among you* as crucified? 3:2 I only wish to learn this from you*. Did you* receive the Spirit from the works of the law or from the hearing of faith? 3:3 Are you* so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you* now being perfected in the flesh? 3:4 You* suffered vainly so-many things? If indeed also it was vainly. 3:5 Therefore is the one supplying the Spirit to you* and working miracles among you*, are they from the works of the law or from the hearing of faith?
3:6 Just-as Abraham believed God and it was counted to him *for righteousness. {Gen. 15:6?} 3:7 Consequently, know that those who are from faith, they are sons of Abraham. 3:8 And the Scripture foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles from faith, proclaimed the good-news beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘All the nations will be blessed in you.’ {Gen. 12:3, 18:18, 22:18, 26:4, 28:14} 3:9 So-then those who are sons from faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. 3:10 For* as many as are from the works of the law are under a curse; for* it has been written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not remain in all things which are written in the book of the law, and to do them.’ {Deut. 27:26} 3:11 Now it is evident that no one is justified in the law before God, because, ‘The righteous will live from faith.’{Hab. 2:4} 3:12 And the law is not from faith; but, ‘The man who does them will live in them.’{Lev. 18:5} 3:13 Christ bought us up out of the curse of the law, having become a curse on our behalf; for* it has been written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs upon a tree,’ {Deut. 21:23} 3:14 that* the blessing of Abraham might happen to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus; that* we might receive the promise of the Spirit through the faith.
3:15 Brethren, I am speaking according to the manner of man, even a man's covenant* when it has been validated, no one nullifies or alters it with provisions. 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He did not say and to seeds, as of many; but as of one and ‘to your seed,’ which is Christ. {Gen. 22:18, 26:4} 3:17 Now I am saying this: the law, which happened four hundred and thirty years afterward, is not invalidating a covenant* validated beforehand by God in reference to Christ, to this end, that it should do-away-with the promise. 3:18 For* if the inheritance is out of the law, it is no more out of the promise; but God has granted it to Abraham through the promise. 3:19 Then* why is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until whenever the seed has come to whom the promise has been made; having been appointed through messengers by the hand of a intermediary. 3:20 Now a intermediary is not of one; but God is one. 3:21 Then* is the law against the promises of God? Let it not happen! For* if there had been a law given which could give-life, righteousness really would have been from the law. 3:22 But the Scriptures locked up together all things under sin, that* the promise which comes from faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
3:23 But before the faith came, we were kept under the law, having been locked up together to the faith which was about to be revealed. 3:24 So-that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that* we might be justified from the faith. 3:25 But when the faith came, we are no longer under a tutor. 3:26 For* you* are all sons of God, through the faith, in Christ Jesus. 3:27 For* as many as were immersed* into Christ were clothed with Christ. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is no male and female; for* you* all are one in Christ Jesus. 3:29 And if you* are Christ's, you* are also Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.
[Galatians 4]
4:1 But I say inasmuch time as the heir is an infant, he carries nothing of more-value than that of a bondservant, though he is lord of all; 4:2 but is under guardians and stewards until the appointed-day of the father. 4:3 So, when we were infants, we were also enslaved under the fundamental principles of the world. 4:4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born out of a woman, born under the law, 4:5 that* he might buy those up who were under the law, that* we might receive the sonship. 4:6 And because you* are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 4:7 So-that you are no longer a bondservant, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
4:8 But back then, not knowing God, you* were enslaved to those who by nature are not gods. 4:9 But now, having known God or rather being known by God, how are you* turning back again to the weak and poor fundamental principles? Do you* again wish to be enslaved to these anew? 4:10 You* observe days and months and seasons and years. 4:11 I fear for you*, lest somehow I have vainly labored toward you*.
4:12 Brethren, I beseech of you* become like I am, because I have also become like you* are. You* did not wrong me; 4:13 but you* know that I proclaimed the good-news to you* beforehand because of a weakness of the flesh. 4:14 And my test, which was in my flesh; you* did not scorn, nor spurn but you* accepted me as a messenger of God, even as Christ Jesus. 4:15 Then* what is your good-fortune? For* I testify of you*, that, if possible, you* would have given your* eyes to me, having popped them out. 4:16 So-then have I become your* enemy, telling the truth to you*? 4:17 They are zealous for you* in no good way. But they wish to lock you* out from us, that* you* may be zealous for them. 4:18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good thing and not only when I am present with you*. 4:19 My little children, of whom I am in travail again until whenever Christ has been formed in you*. 4:20 But I wishing to be present with you* now and to change my voice, because I am perplexed by you*.
4:21 Tell me, you* who wish to be under the law, do you* not hear the law? 4:22 For* it has been written, that Abraham had two sons, one from the maidservant and one from the free woman. 4:23 But the son from the maidservant is born after the flesh; but the son from the free woman is born through the promise. 4:24 Which things are allegorized; for* these women are two covenants*; one from Mount Sinai, which is Hagar, giving-birth to children into bondage. 4:25 For* this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the Jerusalem that is now and she is enslaved with her children. 4:26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of all of us. 4:27 For* it has been written, ‘O barren who is not baring children be joyous; burst forth and cry, you who is not travail, because more are the children of the desolate rather than from her who has the husband.’ {Is. 54:1} 4:28 Now brethren, we are children of the promise like Isaac was. 4:29 But as then, he who was born after the flesh persecuted him who was born after the Spirit, so it is also now. 4:30 But what does the Scripture say? Cast out the maidservant and her son; for* the son of the maidservant may never* inherit with the son of the free woman. 4:31 Consequently, brethren, we are not children of a maidservant, but of the free woman.
[Galatians 5]
5:1 Therefore stand-firm in the freedom to which Christ made us free and do not be held again in a yoke of bondage.
5:2 Behold, I Paul say to you*, that, if you* are circumcised, Christ will profit you* nothing. 5:3 Now, I am testifying again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 5:4 You* have been done-away-with, cut off from Christ, you* who are being justified by the law; you* have fallen from the grace of God. 5:5 For* we are waiting for the hope of righteousness from faith by the Spirit. 5:6 For* in Christ Jesus neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision prevails over anything; but faith working through love*. 5:7 You* were running well; who hindered you* that you* should not obey the truth? 5:8 This persuasion is not from him who is calling you*. 5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole batch. 5:10 I have confidence in you* in the Lord, that you* will not be mindful of another person and he who is disturbing you* will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 5:11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Consequently, has the offense of the cross been done-away? 5:12 I wish-that those who are unsettling you* will even castrate themselves.
5:13 For* brethren, you* were called to freedom; only do not use your* freedom *for a starting-point for the flesh, but serve* one another through love*. 5:14 For* all the law is fulfilled in one word, in this: ‘You will love* your neighbor like yourself.’ {Lev. 19:18} 5:15 But if you* are biting and devouring one another, beware, that you* may not be consumed by one another.
5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit and you* may never* accomplish the lust of the flesh. 5:17 For* the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, and these lay in opposition to one another; that* you* may not do the things that you* would wish. 5:18 But if you* are led by the Spirit, you* are not under the law.
5:19 Now the works of the flesh are apparent, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, unbridled-lusts, 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, selfish ambitions, dissensions, sects, 5:21 envies, murders, drunkenness, revelings and things similar to these; which I am telling to you* beforehand, also just-as I did say to you* beforehand, that those who practicing similar things– they will not inherit the kingdom of God!
5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love*, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 5:23 meekness and self-control. There is no law against such. 5:24 And those who are of Christ have crucified the flesh with the passions and its lusts.
5:25 If we live by the Spirit, we should also march by the Spirit. 5:26 Do not become conceited, inflaming one another, envying one another.
[Galatians 6]
6:1 Brethren, even if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you* who are spiritual, mend such a one in a spirit of meekness; noting any trespass in yourself that you might not also be tempted. 6:2 Bear the burdens of one another and thus fulfill the law of Christ. 6:3 For* if anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself. 6:4 But let each one prove his own work and then he will have his boasting toward himself alone and not toward his neighbor. 6:5 For* each one will bear his own load.
6:6 But let him, who is instructed in the word, share with him who instructs in all good things. 6:7 Do not be misled. God is not ridiculed; for* whatever a man sows, he will also reap. 6:8 Because he who is sowing to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh; but he who is sowing to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
6:9 And do not be depressed while doing good; for* we will reap in time, if we do not faint. 6:10 Then* consequently, as we have opportunity, we should work what is good toward all men and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
6:11 Behold, how-large the letters of the alphabet, I write to you* with my own hand. 6:12 As many as wish to have a good* countenance in the flesh, they are urging you* to be circumcised; only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 6:13 For* not even those who have received circumcision do themselves keep the law; but they wish to have you* circumcised, that* they may boast in your* flesh. 6:14 But let it not happen for me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. 6:15 For* in Christ Jesus neither any circumcision nor uncircumcision prevails, but a new creation. 6:16 And as many as will march by this standard*, peace be upon them and mercy and upon the Israel of God.
6:17 Henceforth let no one harass me, for* I bear the brands of the Lord Jesus on my body.
6:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your* spirit, brethren. Amen.
Modern Literal Version Preface & Appendix , copyright 1999, 2014 by G. Allen Walker for the MLV New Testament Committee.
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