1 Brothers and sisters, what if someone is caught in a sin? Then you who are guided by the Spirit should correct that person. Do it in a gentle way. But be careful. You could be tempted too.
2 Carry each other's heavy loads. If you do, you will give the law of Christ its full meaning.
3 If you think you are somebody when you are nobody, you are fooling yourselves.
4 Each of you should put your own actions to the test. Then you can take pride in yourself. You won't be comparing yourself to somebody else.
5 Each of you should carry your own load.
6 Those who are taught the word must share all good things with their teacher.
7 Don't be fooled. You can't outsmart God. A man gathers a crop from what he plants.
8 Some people plant to please their sinful nature. From that nature they will harvest death. Others plant to please the Holy Spirit. From the Spirit they will harvest eternal life.
9 Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don't give up.
10 So when we can do good to everyone, let us do it. Let us make a special point of doing good to those who belong to the family of believers.
11 Look at the big letters I'm using as I write to you with my own hand!
12 Some people want others to think well of them. They are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do it for only one reason. They don't want to suffer by being connected with the cross of Christ.
13 Even those who are circumcised don't obey the law. But they want you to be circumcised. Then they can brag about what has been done to your body.
14 I never want to brag about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through that cross the ways of the world have been crucified as far as I am concerned. And I have been crucified as far as the ways of the world are concerned.
15 Circumcision and uncircumcision don't mean anything. What really counts is the creation of a new nature.
16 May peace and mercy be given to all who follow this rule. May peace and mercy be given to the Israel that belongs to God.
17 Finally, let no one cause trouble for me. My body has marks that show I belong to Jesus.