Chapter 2

¹Then after a lapse of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with [me]; ²and I went up according to revelation, and I laid before them the glad tidings which I preach among the nations, but privately to those conspicuous [among them], lest in any way I run or had run in vain; ³(but neither was Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, compelled to be circumcised;) ⁴and [it was] on account of the false brethren brought in surreptitiously, who came in surreptitiously to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; ⁵to whom we yielded in subjection not even for an hour, that the truth of the glad tidings might remain with you. ⁶But from those who were conspicuous as being somewhat -- whatsoever they were, it makes no difference to me: God does not accept man`s person; for to me those who were conspicuous communicated nothing; ⁷but, on the contrary, seeing that the glad tidings of the uncircumcision were confided to me, even as to Peter that of the circumcision, ⁸(for he that wrought in Peter for [the] apostleship of the circumcision wrought also in me towards the Gentiles,) ⁹and recognising the grace given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were conspicuous as being pillars, gave to me and Barnabas [the] right hands of fellowship, that we [should go] to the nations, and they to the circumcision; ¹⁰only that we should remember the poor, which same thing also I was diligent to do. ¹¹But when Peter came to Antioch, I withstood him to [the] face, because he was to be condemned: ¹²for before that certain came from James, he ate with [those of] the nations; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those of [the] circumcision; ¹³and the rest of the Jews also played the same dissembling part with him; so that even Barnabas was carried away too by their dissimulation. ¹⁴But when I saw that they do not walk straightforwardly, according to the truth of the glad tidings, I said to Peter before all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as the nations and not as the Jews, how dost thou compel the nations to Judaize? ¹⁵We, Jews by nature, and not sinners of [the] nations, ¹⁶but knowing that a man is not justified on the principle of works of law [nor] but by the faith of Jesus Christ, we also have believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified on the principle of [the] faith of Christ; and not of works of law; because on the principle of works of law no flesh shall be justified. ¹⁷Now if in seeking to be justified in Christ we also have been found sinners, then [is] Christ minister of sin? Far be the thought. ¹⁸For if the things I have thrown down, these I build again, I constitute myself a transgressor. ¹⁹For I, through law, have died to law, that I may live to God. ²⁰I am crucified with Christ, and no longer live, I, but Christ lives in me; but [in] that I now live in flesh, I live by faith, the [faith] of the Son of God, who has loved me and given himself for me. ²¹I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness [is] by law, then Christ has died for nothing.