King James Version KJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
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O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
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Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
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Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
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Did you experience so many things in vain? --if it really is in vain.
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
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Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
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Thus Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
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So you see that it is men of faith who are the sons of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
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And 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."
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
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So then, those who are men of faith are blessed with Abraham who had faith.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
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For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be every one who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, and do them."
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
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Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law; for "He who through faith is righteous shall live";
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
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but the law does not rest on faith, for "He who does them shall live by them."
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
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Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed be every one who hangs on a tree" --
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
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that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
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To give a human example, brethren: no one annuls even a man's will, or adds to it, once it has been ratified.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
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Now 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," which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
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This is what I mean: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
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For if the inheritance is by the law, it is no longer by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
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Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made; and it was ordained by angels through an intermediary.
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
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Now an intermediary implies more than one; but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
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Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not; for if a law had been given which could make alive, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
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But the scripture consigned all things to sin, that what was promised to faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
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Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
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So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
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But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian;
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
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for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
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For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
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There 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.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
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And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.