5 ² Mark my words: I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision Christ will do you no good at all. 5 ³ Once again, you can take it from me that every man who receives circumcision is under obligation to keep the entire law. 5 ⁴ When you seek to be justified by way of law, your relation with Christ is completely severed: you have fallen out of the domain of God's grace. 5 ⁵ For to us, our hope of attaining that righteousness which we eagerly await is the work of the Spirit through faith. 5 ⁶ If we are in union with Christ Jesus circumcision makes no difference at all, nor does the want of it; the only thing that counts is faith active in love. Or: inspired by love.
5 ⁷ You were running well; who was it hindered you from following the truth? 5 ⁸ Whatever persuasion he used, it did not come from God who is calling you; 5 ⁹ 'a little leaven', remember, 'leavens all the dough'. 5 ¹⁰ United with you in the Lord, I am confident that you will not take the wrong view; but the man who is unsettling your minds, whoever he may be, must bear God's judgement. 5 ¹¹ And I, my friends, if I am still advocating circumcision, why is it I am still persecuted? In that case, my preaching of the cross is a stumbling-block no more. 5 ¹² As for these agitators, they had better go the whole way and make eunuchs of themselves!

5 ¹³ YOU, MY FRIENDS, were called to be free men; only do not turn your freedom into licence for your lower nature, but be servants to one another in love. 5 ^{14 [ Lv.19.18. ]} For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' 5 ¹⁵ But if you go on fighting one another, tooth and nail, all you can expect is mutual destruction.