Help Each Other

1Brothers, if a person is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should restore that person gently. Watch out for yourself so that you are not tempted as well. 2Practice carrying each other’s burdens. In this way you will fulfill the law of the Messiah.a 3For if anyone thinks he is something when he is really nothing, he is only fooling himself. 4Each person must examine his own actions, and then he can boast about his own accomplishments and not about someone else. 5For everyone must carry his own load.

6The person who is taught the word should share all his goods with his teacher. 7Stop beingb deceived; God is not to be ridiculed. A person harvests whatever he plants: 8The person who sows through human means will harvest decay from human means, but the person who sows in the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit. 9Let’s not get tired of doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest—if we do not give up. 10So then, whenever we have the opportunity, let’s practice doing good to everyone, especially to the family of faith.

A Final Warning against Circumcision

11Look at how large these letters are because I am writing with my own hand! 12These people who want to impress others by their external appearancec are trying to force you to be circumcised, simply to avoid being persecuted for the cross of the Messiah.d 13Why, not even those who are circumcised obey the Law! They simply want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your external appearance.e 14But may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,f by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world! 15For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, what matters is beingg a new creation. 16Now may peace be on all those who live by this principle, and may mercy be on the Israel of God. 17Let no one make any more trouble for me, because I carry the scars of Jesus on my own body.

Final Greeting

18May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,h be with your spirit, brothers! Amen.