Galatians 2

1Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me too.

2I went up by revelation and set before them the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, but privately to those esteemed, lest somehow I run or had run in vain.

3But not even Titus who was with me, a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

4But because of false brothers brought in secretly, who slipped in to investigate the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, that they might enslave us.

5We did not yield to them in subjection, not even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.

6But from those reputed to be something—whatever they were formerly makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism toward people—for those reputed added nothing to me.

7On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel of uncircumcision, just as Peter with the gospel of circumcision.

8For the one who worked powerfully in Peter for apostleship to the circumcision also worked powerfully in me toward the Gentiles.

9And when James, Cephas, and John, reputed to be pillars, recognized the grace given to me, they extended right hands of fellowship to me and Barnabas, so we would go to the Gentiles, but they to the circumcision.

10They only wanted us to remember the poor—the very thing I was also diligent to do.

11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he was condemned.

12For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they arrived, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those from the circumcision.

13And the other Jews acted hypocritically with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

14But when I saw that they were not walking uprightly in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before everyone, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how do you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?"

15We are Jews by nature and not sinners from the Gentiles.

16Knowing that no person is justified by works of law except through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of law, because by works of law no flesh will be justified.

17But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were also found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? May it never be!

18For if I build again what I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.

19For by the law I died to the law, that I might live to God; I have been crucified with Christ.

20I live, but no longer I—Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in God's Son, who loved me and delivered himself for me.

21I do not set aside God's grace, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died needlessly.