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Follow the Spirit

^1 (C1)It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore ^(C2)keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a ^(C3)yoke of slavery.

² Look! I, ^(C1)Paul, tell you that if you have yourselves ^(C2)circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.³ And I ^(C1)testify again to every man who has himself ^(C2)circumcised, that he is obligated to ^(C3)keep the whole Law.⁴ You have been severed from Christ, you who ^(F1)are seeking to be justified by the ^(F2)Law; you have ^(C1)fallen from grace.⁵ For we, ^(F1)through the Spirit, ^(F2)by faith, are ^(C1)waiting for the hope of righteousness.⁶ For in ^(C1)Christ Jesus ^(C2)neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but ^(C3)faith working through love.

⁷ You were ^(C1)running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?⁸ This persuasion did not come from ^(C1)Him who calls you.^9 (C1)A little ^(F1)leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.^10 (C1)I have confidence ^(F1)in you in the Lord, that you ^(C2)will adopt no other view; but the one who is ^(C3)disturbing you will bear the punishment, whoever he is.¹¹ But as for me, brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still ^(C1)persecuted? Then ^(C2)the stumbling block of the cross has been eliminated.¹² I wish that ^(C1)those who are troubling you would even ^(F1)(C2)emasculate themselves.

¹³ For you were called to ^(C1)freedom, brothers and sisters; ^(C2)only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but ^(C3)serve one another through love.¹⁴ For ^(C1)the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "^(C2)YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."¹⁵ But if you ^(C1)bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

¹⁶ But I say, ^(C1)walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out ^(C2)the desire of the flesh.¹⁷ For ^(C1)the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, ^(C2)in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.¹⁸ But if you are ^(C1)led by the Spirit, ^(C2)you are not under the Law.¹⁹ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: ^(C1)sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior,²⁰ idolatry, ^(C1)witchcraft, hostilities, ^(C2)strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, ^(C3)selfish ambition, dissensions, ^(C4)factions,²¹ envy, ^(C1)drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not ^(C2)inherit the kingdom of God.²² But ^(C1)the fruit of the Spirit is ^(C2)love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³ gentleness, ^(C1)self-control; against such things ^(C2)there is no law.²⁴ Now those who ^(F1)belong to ^(C1)Christ Jesus ^(C2)crucified the flesh with its passions and ^(C3)desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let's follow ^(C1)the Spirit as well.²⁶ Let's not become ^(C1)boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.