Miracles, Grace, and Freedom in Christ

1. Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead. You know that your servant feared Yahweh. Now the creditor has come to take for himself my two children to be slaves.” 2. Elisha said to her, “What should I do for you? Tell me: what do you have in the house?” She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house, except a pot of oil.” 3. Then he said, “Go, borrow empty containers from of all your neighbors. Don’t borrow just a few containers. 4. Go in and shut the door on you and on your sons, and pour oil into all those containers; and set aside those which are full.” 5. So she went from him, and shut the door on herself and on her sons. They brought the containers to her, and she poured oil. 6. When the containers were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another container.” He said to her, “There isn’t another container.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7. Then she came and told the man of God. He said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.” 8. One day Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman; and she persuaded him to eat bread. So it was, that as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat bread. 9. She said to her husband, “See now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God who passes by us continually. 10. Please let us make a little room on the roof. Let us set for him there a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp stand. When he comes to us, he can stay there.” 11. One day he came there, and he went to the room and lay there. 12. He said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 13. He said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Behold, you have cared for us with all this care. What is to be done for you? Would you like to be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.” 14. He said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Most certainly she has no son, and her husband is old.” 15. He said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the door. 16. He said, “At this season, when the time comes around, you will embrace a son.” She said, “No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your servant.” 17. The woman conceived, and bore a son at that season, when the time came around, as Elisha had said to her. 18. When the child was grown, one day he went out to his father to the reapers. 19. He said to his father, “My head! My head!” He said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20. When he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees until noon, and then died. 21. She went up and laid him on the man of God’s bed, and shut the door on him, and went out. 22. She called to her husband, and said, “Please send me one of the servants, and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.” 23. He said, “Why would you want go to him today? It is not a new moon or a Sabbath.” She said, “It’s alright.” 24. Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, “Drive, and go forward! Don’t slow down for me, unless I ask you to.” 25. So she went, and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her afar off, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Behold, there is the Shunammite. 26. Please run now to meet her, and ask her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with your child?’” She answered, “It is well.” 27. When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, “Leave her alone; for her soul is troubled within her; and Yahweh has hidden it from me, and has not told me.” 28. Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me’?” 29. Then he said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand, and go your way. If you meet any man, don’t greet him; and if anyone greets you, don’t answer him again. Then lay my staff on the child’s face.” 30. The child’s mother said, “As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So he arose, and followed her. 31. Gehazi went ahead of them, and laid the staff on the child’s face; but there was no voice and no hearing. Therefore he returned to meet him, and told him, “The child has not awakened.” 32. When Elisha had come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and lying on his bed. 33. He went in therefore, and shut the door on them both, and prayed to Yahweh. 34. He went up, and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. He stretched himself on him; and the child’s flesh grew warm. 35. Then he returned, and walked in the house once back and forth; and went up, and stretched himself out on him. Then the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36. He called Gehazi, and said, “Call this Shunammite!” So he called her. When she had come in to him, he said, “Take up your son.” 37. Then she went in, fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground; then she picked up her son, and went out. 38. Elisha came again to Gilgal. There was a famine in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, “Get the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.” 39. One went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered a lap full of wild gourds from it, and came and cut them up into the pot of stew; for they didn’t recognize them. 40. So they poured out for the men to eat. As they were eating some of the stew, they cried out, and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. 41. But he said, “Then bring meal.” He threw it into the pot; and he said, “Serve it to the people, that they may eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot. 42. A man from Baal Shalishah came, and brought the man of God some bread of the first fruits: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. He said, “Give to the people, that they may eat.” 43. His servant said, “What, should I set this before a hundred men?” But he said, “Give the people, that they may eat; for Yahweh says, ‘They will eat, and will have some left over.’” 44. So he set it before them, and they ate, and had some left over, according to Yahweh’s word. 1. Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him Yahweh had given victory to Syria: he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2. The Syrians had gone out in bands, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maiden; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. 3. She said to her mistress, “I wish that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal him of his leprosy.” 4. Someone went in, and told his lord, saying, “The maiden who is from the land of Israel said this.” 5. The king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” He departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothing. 6. He brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, “Now when this letter has come to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.” 7. When the king of Israel had read the letter, he tore his clothes, and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends to me to heal a man of his leprosy? But please consider and see how he seeks a quarrel against me.” 8. It was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9. So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. 10. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.” 11. But Naaman was angry, and went away, and said, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leper.’ 12. Aren’t Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them, and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 13. His servants came near, and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had asked you do some great thing, wouldn’t you have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean?’” 14. Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 15. He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, “See now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel. Now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.” 16. But he said, “As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” He urged him to take it; but he refused. 17. Naaman said, “If not, then, please let two mules’ burden of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will from now on offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to Yahweh. 18. In this thing may Yahweh pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon. When I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may Yahweh pardon your servant in this thing.” 19. He said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him a little way. 20. But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.” 21. So Gehazi followed after Naaman. When Naaman saw one running after him, he came down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?” 22. He said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Behold, even now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’” 23. Naaman said, “Be pleased to take two talents.” He urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants; and they carried them before him. 24. When he came to the hill, he took them from their hand, and stored them in the house. Then he let the men go, and they departed. 25. But he went in, and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you come from, Gehazi?” He said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26. He said to him, “Didn’t my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive groves and vineyards, and sheep and cattle, and male servants and female servants? 27. Therefore the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and to your offspring forever.” He went out from his presence a leper, as white as snow. 1. The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See now, the place where we live and meet with you is too small for us. 2. Please let us go to the Jordan, and each man take a beam from there, and let us make us a place there, where we may live.” He answered, “Go!” 3. One said, “Please be pleased to go with your servants.” He answered, “I will go.” 4. So he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down wood. 5. But as one was cutting down a tree, the ax head fell into the water. Then he cried, and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” 6. The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” He showed him the place. He cut down a stick, threw it in there, and made the iron float. 7. He said, “Take it.” So he put out his hand and took it. 8. Now the king of Syria was at war against Israel; and he took counsel with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” 9. The man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you not pass this place; for the Syrians are coming down there.” 10. The king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of; and he saved himself there, not once or twice. 11. The king of Syria’s heart was very troubled about this. He called his servants, and said to them, “Won’t you show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” 12. One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 13. He said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” He was told, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14. Therefore he sent horses, chariots, and a great army there. They came by night, and surrounded the city. 15. When the servant of the man of God had risen early, and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. His servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16. He answered, “Don’t be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17. Elisha prayed, and said, “Yahweh, please open his eyes, that he may see.” Yahweh opened the young man’s eyes; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha. 18. When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” He struck them with blindness according to Elishah’s word. 19. Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” He led them to Samaria. 20. When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “Yahweh, open these men’s eyes, that they may see.” Yahweh opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the middle of Samaria. 21. The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, “My father, shall I strike them? Shall I strike them?” 22. He answered, “You shall not strike them. Would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.” 23. He prepared a great feast for them. When they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria stopped raiding the land of Israel. 24. After this, Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria. 25. There was a great famine in Samaria. Behold, they besieged it, until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver. 26. As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!” 27. He said, “If Yahweh doesn’t help you, where could I get help for you? From of the threshing floor, or from the wine press?” 28. The king said to her, “What is your problem?” She answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’ 29. So we boiled my son, and ate him: and I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him;’ and she has hidden her son.” 30. When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. Now he was passing by on the wall, and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth underneath on his body. 31. Then he said, “God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat stays on him today.” 32. But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. Then the king sent a man from before him; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, “Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Behold, when the messenger comes, shut the door, and hold the door shut against him. Isn’t the sound of his master’s feet behind him?” 33. While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, “Behold, this evil is from Yahweh. Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?”

1. Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), 2. and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: 3. Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4. who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father— 5. to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 6. I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”; 7. and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ. 8. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. 9. As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed. 10. For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ. 11. But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. 12. For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. 13. For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it. 14. I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15. But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me through his grace, 16. to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17. nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus. 18. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days. 19. But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord’s brother. 20. Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying. 21. Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22. I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ, 23. but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.” 24. And they glorified God in me. 1. Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. 2. I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3. But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4. This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; 5. to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you. 6. But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn’t show partiality to man)—they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me, 7. but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcised, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcised 8. (for he who worked through Peter in the apostleship with the circumcised also worked through me with the Gentiles); 9. and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision. 10. They only asked us to remember the poor—which very thing I was also zealous to do. 11. But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12. For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13. And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14. But when I saw that they didn’t walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do? 15. “We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners, 16. yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. 17. But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18. For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker. 19. For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God. 20. I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. 21. I don’t reject the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!” 1. Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified? 2. I just want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 3. Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh? 4. Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain? 5. He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and does miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 6. Even as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.” 7. Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are children of Abraham. 8. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you all the nations will be blessed.” 9. So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11. Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.” 12. The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.” 13. Christ 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,” 14. that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15. Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it. 16. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring. He doesn’t say, “To descendants”, as of many, but as of one, “To your offspring”, which is Christ. 17. Now I say this: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. 18. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise. 19. Then why is there the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20. Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one. 21. Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law. 22. But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23. But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24. So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26. For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 27. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29. If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise. 1. But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all; 2. but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. 3. So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. 4. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, 5. that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children. 6. And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7. So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 8. However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods. 9. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again? 10. You observe days, months, seasons, and years. 11. I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you. 12. I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong, 13. but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time. 14. That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15. What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16. So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17. They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them. 18. But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you. 19. My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you— 20. but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. 21. Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law? 22. For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman. 23. However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise. 24. These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. 25. For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children. 26. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27. For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break out and shout, you that don’t travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband.” 28. Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29. But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30. However what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31. So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman. 1. Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2. Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. 3. Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4. You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace. 5. For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. 6. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love. 7. You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth? 8. This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9. A little yeast grows through the whole lump. 10. I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11. But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed. 12. I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off. 13. For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. 14. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15. But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another. 16. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. 18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19. Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 20. idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 21. envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23. gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25. If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. 26. Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another. 1. Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted. 2. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3. For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4. But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else. 5. For each man will bear his own burden. 6. But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches. 7. Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9. Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up. 10. So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith. 11. See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand. 12. As many as desire to make a good impression in the flesh compel you to be circumcised; just so they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13. For even they who receive circumcision don’t keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. 14. But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15. For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16. As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel. 17. From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body. 18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

1. Praise Yah! Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power! 2. Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness! 3. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet! Praise him with harp and lyre! 4. Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute! 5. Praise him with loud cymbals! Praise him with resounding cymbals! 6. Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah!