New King James Version

English Standard Version

1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?

1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.

2This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

2Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?

3Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

3Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

4Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

4Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

5Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—

5Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—

6just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

6just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

7Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

7Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.

8And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”

8And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”

9So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

9So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

10For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”

11But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

11Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

12Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

12But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”

13Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” ),

13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—

14that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

14so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

15Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.

15To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified.

16Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.

16Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.

17And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.

17This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void.

18For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

18For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

19What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.

19Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary.

20Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

20Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.

21Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.

21Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

22But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

22But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.

23Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.

24Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

24So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

25But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,

26For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

26for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

29And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.