Chapter 6

¹But if a man is caught doing something wrong, brothers, you are spiritual, and you must set him right, in a spirit of gentleness. Think of yourself, for you may be tempted too. ²Bear one another’s burdens, and in that way carry out the law of the Christ. ³For if anyone thinks he is somebody when he is really nobody, he is deceiving himself. ⁴Every man ought to test his own work, and then whatever satisfaction he has will be with reference to himself, and not in comparison with someone else. ⁵For everyone will have to carry his own load.

⁶Those who are taught the message must share all their goods with their teacher. ⁷Do not be deceived. God is not to be sneered at. A man will reap just what he sows. ⁸The man who sows to gratify his physical cravings will reap destruction from them, and the man who sows to benefit the spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. ⁹Let us not get tired of doing right, for at the proper time we shall reap, if we do not give out. ¹⁰So then whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to those who belong to the family of the faith.

¹¹See what large letters I make, when I write to you with my own hand! ¹²These men who are trying to force you to let yourselves be circumcised want to present a good appearance externally, to save themselves from having to stand persecution for the cross of Jesus the Christ. ¹³Why, even those who let themselves be circumcised do not observe the Law themselves! But they want you to let yourselves be circumcised so that they can boast of that physical fact about you! ¹⁴But I never want to boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, on which the world has been crucified to me and I have been to the world. ¹⁵For neither circumcision nor the want of it is of any importance, but only a new creation. ¹⁶Peace and mercy be on all who will follow this rule, and on the true Israel of God.

¹⁷Let nobody interfere with me after this, for I bear on my body the scars that mark me as a slave of Jesus.

¹⁸The blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.