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2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 9

1 Now, concerning the ministry that is done toward the saints, it is not necessary for me to write to you.

2 For I know your willing mind. I glory about you, concerning this, to the Macedonians. For Achaia has also been prepared, for the past year. And your example has inspired very many others.

3 Now I have sent the brothers, so that what we glory about concerning you might be not be empty in this matter, in order that (as I have explained) you may be prepared.

4 Otherwise, if the Macedonians arrive with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) would be ashamed in this matter.

5 Therefore, I considered it necessary to ask the brothers to go to you in advance and to prepare this blessing as promised, and in this way, you may be ready as a blessing, not as an excess.

6 But I say this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. And whoever sows with blessings shall also reap from blessings:

7 each one giving, just as he has determined in his heart, neither out of sadness, nor out of obligation. For God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make every grace abound in you, so that, always having what you need in all things, you may abound unto every good work,

9 just as it was written: “He has distributed widely, he has given to the poor; his justice remains from age to age.”

10 And he who ministers seed to the sower will offer you bread to eat, and will multiply your seed, and will increase the growth of the fruits of your justice.

11 So then, having been enriched in all things, you may abound in all simplicity, which works thanksgiving to God through us.

12 For the ministration of this office not only supplies whatever the saints need, but also abounds through many thanksgivings in the Lord.

13 And so, through the evidence of this ministry, you glorify God by the obedience of your confession in the Gospel of Christ, and by the simplicity of your communion with them and with everyone,

14 and they offer prayers for you, being solicitous about you, because of the excellent grace of God within you.

15 Thanks be to God for his ineffable gift.

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2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 10

1 But I myself, Paul, am begging you, through the meekness and modesty of Christ. I am certainly, by appearances, lowly among you, yet I have confidence in you, even while I am absent.

2 So I am petitioning you, lest I be bold, when present, with that bold confidence that I am considered to have by certain ones who judge us as if we were walking according to the flesh.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not battle according to the flesh.

4 For the weapons of our battles are not carnal, yet still they are powerful with God, unto the destruction of fortifications: tearing down every counsel

5 and height that extols itself contrary to the wisdom of God, and leading every intellect into the captivity of obedience to Christ,

6 and standing ready to repudiate every disobedience, when your own obedience has been fulfilled.

7 Consider the things that are in accord with appearances. If anyone trusts that by these things he belongs to Christ, let him reconsider this within himself. For just as he belongs to Christ, so also do we.

8 And if I were even to glory somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord has given to us for your edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed.

9 But let it not be said that I am scaring you by means of epistles.

10 For they say: “His epistles, indeed, are weighty and strong. But his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is contemptible.”

11 Let someone like this realize that whatever we are in word through epistles, while absent: we are much the same in deed, while present.

12 For we would not dare to interpose or compare ourselves with certain ones who commend themselves. But we measure ourselves by ourselves, and we compare ourselves with ourselves.

13 Thus, we will not glory beyond our measure, but rather according to the measure of the limit which God has measured out to us, a measure which extends even to you.

14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we are not able to reach as far as you are able. For we have gone even as far as you have in the Gospel of Christ.

15 We are not glorying immeasurably over the labors of others. Instead, we hold on to the hope of your growing faith, so as to be magnified in you, according to our own limits, but in abundance,

16 and even so as to evangelize in those places that are beyond you, not in order to glory in the measure of others, but rather in those things which have already been prepared.

17 But whoever glories, let him glory in the Lord.

18 For it is not he who commends himself who is approved, but rather he whom God commends.

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2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 11

1 I wish that you would endure a small amount of my foolishness, so as to bear with me.

2 For I am jealous toward you, with the jealousy of God. And I have espoused you to one husband, offering you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

3 But I am afraid lest, as the serpent led astray Eve by his cleverness, so your minds might be corrupted and might fall away from the simplicity which is in Christ.

4 For if anyone arrives preaching another Christ, one whom we have not preached; or if you receive another Spirit, one whom you have not received; or another Gospel, one which you have not been given: you might permit him to guide you.

5 For I consider that I have done nothing less than the great Apostles.

6 For although I may be unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge. But, in all things, we have been made manifest to you.

7 Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you would be exalted? For I preached the Gospel of God to you freely.

8 I have taken from other churches, receiving a stipend from them to the benefit of your ministry.

9 And when I was with you and in need, I was burdensome to no one. For the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied whatever was lacking to me. And in all things, I have kept myself, and I will keep myself, from being burdensome to you.

10 The truth of Christ is in me, and so this glorying shall not be broken away from me in the regions of Achaia.

11 Why so? Is it because I do not love you? God knows I do.

12 But what I am doing, I will continue to do, so that I may take away an opportunity from those who desire an opportunity by which they may glory, so as to be considered to be like us.

13 For false apostles, such as these deceitful workers, are presenting themselves as if they were Apostles of Christ.

14 And no wonder, for even Satan presents himself as if he were an Angel of light.

15 Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers present themselves as if they were ministers of justice, for their end shall be according to their works.

16 I say again. And let no one consider me to be foolish. Or, at least, accept me as if I were foolish, so that I also may glory a small amount.

17 What I am saying is not said according to God, but as if in foolishness, in this matter of glorying.

18 Since so many glory according to the flesh, I will glory also.

19 For you freely accept the foolish, though you yourselves claim to be wise.

20 For you permit it when someone guides you into servitude, even if he devours you, even if he takes from you, even if he is extolled, even if he strikes you repeatedly on the face.

21 I speak according to disgrace, as if we had been weak in this regard. In this matter, (I speak in foolishness) if anyone dares, I dare also.

22 They are Hebrews; so am I. They are Israelites; so am I. They are the offspring of Abraham; so am I.

23 They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as if I were less wise); more so am I: with many more labors, with numerous imprisonments, with wounds beyond measure, with frequent mortifications.

24 On five occasions, I received forty stripes, less one, from the Jews.

25 Three times, I was beaten with rods. One time, I was stoned. Three times, I was shipwrecked. For a night and a day, I was in the depths of the sea.

26 I have made frequent journeys, through dangerous waters, in danger of robbers, in danger from my own nation, in danger from the Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger in the sea, in danger from false brothers,

27 with hardships and difficulties, with much vigilance, in hunger and thirst, with frequent fasts, in cold and nakedness,

28 and, in addition to these things, which are external: there is my daily earnestness and solicitude for all the churches.

29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not being burned?

30 If it is necessary to glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weaknesses.

31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.

32 At Damascus, the governor of the nation under Aretas the king, watched over the city of the Damascenes, so as to apprehend me.

33 And, through a window, I was let down along the wall in a basket; and so I escaped his hands.

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2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 12

1 If it is necessary (though certainly not expedient) to glory, then I will next tell of visions and revelations from the Lord.

2 I know a man in Christ, who, more than fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know: God knows), was enraptured to the third heaven.

3 And I know a certain man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know: God knows),

4 who was enraptured into Paradise. And he heard words of mystery, which it is not permitted for man to speak.

5 On behalf of someone like this, I will glory. But on behalf of myself, I will not glory about anything, except my infirmities.

6 For even though I am willing to glory, I will not be foolish. But I will speak the truth. Yet I will do so sparingly, lest anyone may consider me to be anything more than what he sees in me, or anything more than what he hears from me.

7 And lest the greatness of the revelations should extol me, there was given to me a prodding in my flesh: an angel of Satan, who struck me repeatedly.

8 Because of this, three times I petitioned the Lord that it might be taken away from me.

9 And he said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you. For virtue is perfected in weakness.” And so, willingly shall I glory in my weaknesses, so that the virtue of Christ may live within me.

10 Because of this, I am pleased in my infirmity: in reproaches, in difficulties, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.

11 I have become foolish; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you. For I have been nothing less than those who claim to be above the measure of Apostles, even though I am nothing.

12 And the seal of my Apostleship has been set over you, with all patience, with signs and wonders and miracles.

13 For what is there that you have had which is less than the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this injury.

14 Behold, this is the third time I have prepared to come to you, and yet I will not be a burden to you. For I am seeking not the things that are yours, but you yourselves. And neither should the children store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15 And so, very willingly, I will spend and exhaust myself for the sake of your souls, loving you more, while being loved less.

16 And so be it. I have not burdened you, but instead, being astute, I obtained you by guile.

17 And yet, did I defraud you by means of any of those whom I sent to you?

18 I asked for Titus, and I sent a brother with him. Did Titus defraud you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

19 Have you ever thought that we should explain ourselves to you? We speak in the sight of God, in Christ. But all things, most beloved, are for your edification.

20 Yet I fear, lest perhaps, when I have arrived, I might not find you such as I would want, and I might be found by you, such as you would not want. For perhaps there may be among you: contention, envy, animosity, dissension, detraction, whispering, self-exaltation, and rebellion.

21 If so, then, when I have arrived, God may again humble me among you. And so, I mourn for the many who sinned beforehand, and did not repent, over the lust and fornication and homosexuality, which they have committed.

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2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 13

1 Behold, this is the third time that I am coming to you. By the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word shall stand.

2 I have preached when present, and I will preach now while absent, to those who sinned before, and to all the others, because, when I arrive again, I will not be lenient with you.

3 Do you seek evidence that it is Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak with you, but is powerful with you?

4 For although he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by the power of God. And yes, we are weak in him. But we shall live with him by the power of God among you.

5 Test yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not know whether Christ Jesus is in you? But perhaps you are reprobates.

6 But I hope you know that we ourselves are not reprobates.

7 Now we pray to God that you shall do nothing evil, not so that we may seem to be approved, but so that you may do what is good, even if we seem like reprobates.

8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

9 For we rejoice that we are weak, while you are strong. This is also what we pray for: your perfection.

10 Therefore, I write these things while absent, so that, when present, I may not have to act more harshly, according to the authority which the Lord has given to me, for edification and not for destruction.

11 As to the rest, brothers, rejoice, be perfect, be encouraged, have the same mind, have peace. And so the God of peace and love will be with you.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

13 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

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Galatians

Galatians 1

1 Paul, an Apostle, not from men and not through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead,

2 and all the brothers who are with me: to the churches of Galatia.

3 Grace and peace to you from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 who gave himself on behalf of our sins, so that he might deliver us from this present wicked age, according to the will of God our Father.

5 To him is glory forever and ever. Amen.

6 I wonder that you have been so quickly transferred, from him who called you into the grace of Christ, over to another gospel.

7 For there is no other, except that there are some persons who disturb you and who want to overturn the Gospel of Christ.

8 But if anyone, even we ourselves or an Angel from Heaven, were to preach to you a gospel other than the one that we have preached to you, let him be anathema.

9 Just as we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone has preached a gospel to you, other than that which you have received, let him be anathema.

10 For am I now persuading men, or God? Or, am I seeking to please men? If I still were pleasing men, then I would not be a servant of Christ.

11 For I would have you understand, brothers, that the Gospel which has been preached by me is not according to man.

12 And I did not receive it from man, nor did I learn it, except through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former behavior within Judaism: that, beyond measure, I persecuted the Church of God and fought against Her.

14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my equals among my own kind, having proven to be more abundant in zeal toward the traditions of my fathers.

15 But, when it pleased him who, from my mother’s womb, had set me apart, and who has called me by his grace,

16 to reveal his Son within me, so that I might evangelize him among the Gentiles, I did not next seek the consent of flesh and blood.

17 Neither did I go to Jerusalem, to those who were Apostles before me. Instead, I went into Arabia, and next I returned to Damascus.

18 And then, after three years, I went to Jerusalem to see Peter; and I stayed with him for fifteen days.

19 But I saw none of the other Apostles, except James, the brother of the Lord.

20 Now what I am writing to you: behold, before God, I am not lying.

21 Next, I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

22 But I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea, which were in Christ.

23 For they had only heard that: “He, who formerly persecuted us, now evangelizes the faith which he once fought.”

24 And they glorified God in me.

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Galatians

Galatians 2

1 Next, after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, taking with me Barnabas and Titus.

2 And I went up according to revelation, and I debated with them about the Gospel that I am preaching among the Gentiles, but away from those who were pretending to be something, lest perhaps I might run, or have run, in vain.

3 But even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Gentile, was not compelled to be circumcised,

4 but only because of false brothers, who were brought in unknowingly. They entered secretly to spy on our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might reduce us to servitude.

5 We did not yield to them in subjection, even for an hour, in order that the truth of the Gospel would remain with you,

6 and away from those who were pretending to be something. (Whatever they might have been once, it means nothing to me. God does not accept the reputation of a man.) And those who were claiming to be something had nothing to offer me.

7 But it was to the contrary, since they had seen that the Gospel to the uncircumcised was entrusted to me, just as the Gospel to the circumcised was entrusted to Peter.

8 For he who was working the Apostleship to the circumcised in Peter, was also working in me among the Gentiles.

9 And so, when they had acknowledged the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who seemed like pillars, gave to me and to Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we would go to the Gentiles, while they went to the circumcised,

10 asking only that we should be mindful of the poor, which was the very thing that I also was solicitous to do.

11 But when Cephas had arrived at Antioch, I stood against him to his face, because he was blameworthy.

12 For before certain ones arrived from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they had arrived, he drew apart and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

13 And the other Jews consented to his pretense, so that even Barnabas was led by them into that falseness.

14 But when I had seen that they were not walking correctly, by the truth of the Gospel, I said to Cephas in front of everyone: “If you, while you are a Jew, are living like the Gentiles and not the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to keep the customs of the Jews?”

15 By nature, we are Jews, and not of the Gentiles, sinners.

16 And we know that man is not justified by the works of the law, but only by the faith of Jesus Christ. And so we believe in Christ Jesus, in order that we may be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law. For no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.

17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are also found to be sinners, would then Christ be the minister of sin? Let it not be so!

18 For if I rebuild the things that I have destroyed, I establish myself as a prevaricator.

19 For through the law, I have become dead to the law, so that I may live for God. I have been nailed to the cross with Christ.

20 I live; yet now, it is not I, but truly Christ, who lives in me. And though I live now in the flesh, I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and who delivered himself for me.

21 I do not reject the grace of God. For if justice is through the law, then Christ died in vain.

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Galatians

Galatians 3

1 O senseless Galatians, who has so fascinated you that you would not obey the truth, even though Jesus Christ has been presented before your eyes, crucified among you?

2 I wish to know only this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3 Are you so foolish that, though you began with the Spirit, you would now end with the flesh?

4 Have you been suffering so much without a reason? If so, then it is in vain.

5 Therefore, does he who distributes the Spirit to you, and who works miracles among you, act by the works of the law, or by the hearing of the faith?

6 It is just as it was written: “Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice.”

7 Therefore, know that those who are of faith, these are the sons of Abraham.

8 Thus Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, foretold to Abraham: “All nations shall be blessed in you.”

9 And so, those who are of faith shall be blessed with faithful Abraham.

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it has been written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all the things that have been written in the book of the Law, so as to do them.”

11 And, since in the law no one is justified with God, this is manifest: “For the just man lives by faith.”

12 But the law is not of faith; instead, “he who does these things shall live by them.”

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, since he became a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is anyone who hangs from a tree.”

14 This was so that the blessing of Abraham might reach the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, in order that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

15 Brothers (I speak according to man), if a man’s testament has been confirmed, no one would reject it or add to it.

16 The promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. He did not say, “and to descendents,” as if to many, but instead, as if to one, he said, “and to your offspring,” who is Christ.

17 But I say this: the testament confirmed by God, which, after four hundred and thirty years became the Law, does not nullify, so as to make the promise empty.

18 For if the inheritance is of the law, then it is no longer of the promise. But God bestowed it to Abraham through the promise.

19 Why, then, was there a law? It was established because of transgressions, until the offspring would arrive, to whom he made the promise, ordained by Angels through the hand of a mediator.

20 Now a mediator is not of one, yet God is one.

21 So then, was the law contrary to the promises of God? Let it not be so! For if a law had been given, which was able to give life, truly justice would be of the law.

22 But Scripture has enclosed everything under sin, so that the promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

23 But before the faith arrived, we were preserved by being enclosed under the law, unto that faith which was to be revealed.

24 And so the law was our guardian in Christ, in order that we might be justified by faith.

25 But now that faith has arrived, we are no longer under a guardian.

26 For you are all sons of God, through the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have become clothed with Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither servant nor free; there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if you are Christ’s, then are you the offspring of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.

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Galatians

Galatians 4

1 But I say that, during the time an heir is a child, he is no different from a servant, even though he is the owner of everything.

2 For he is under tutors and caretakers, until the time which was predetermined by the father.

3 So also we, when we were children, were subservient to the influences of the world.

4 But when the fullness of time arrived, God sent his Son, formed from a woman, formed under the law,

5 so that he might redeem those who were under the law, in order that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 Therefore, because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying out: “Abba, Father.”

7 And so now he is not a servant, but a son. But if he is a son, then he is also an heir, through God.

8 But then, certainly, while ignorant of God, you served those who, by nature, are not gods.

9 But now, since you have known God, or rather, since you have been known by God: how can you turn away again, to weak and destitute influences, which you desire to serve anew?

10 You serve the days, and months, and times, and years.

11 I am afraid for you, lest perhaps I may have labored in vain among you.

12 Brothers, I beg you. Be as I am. For I, too, am like you. You have not injured me at all.

13 But you know that, in the weakness of the flesh, I have preached the Gospel to you for a long time, and that your trials are in my flesh.

14 You did not despise or reject me. But instead, you accepted me like an Angel of God, even like Christ Jesus.

15 Therefore, where is your happiness? For I offer to you testimony that, if it could be done, you would have plucked out your own eyes and would have given them to me.

16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17 They are not imitating you well. And they are willing to exclude you, so that you might imitate them.

18 But be imitators of what is good, always in a good way, and not only when I am present with you.

19 My little sons, I am giving birth to you again, until Christ is formed in you.

20 And I would willingly be present with you, even now. But I would alter my voice: for I am ashamed of you.

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, have you not read the law?

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: one by a servant woman, and one by a free woman.

23 And he who was of the servant was born according to the flesh. But he who was of the free woman was born by the promise.

24 These things are said through an allegory. For these represent the two testaments. Certainly the one, on Mount Sinai, gives birth unto servitude, which is Hagar.

25 For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia, which is related to the Jerusalem of the present time, and it serves with her sons.

26 But that Jerusalem which is above is free; the same is our mother.

27 For it was written: “Rejoice, O barren one, though you do not conceive. Burst forth and cry out, though you do not give birth. For many are the children of the desolate, even more than of her who has a husband.”

28 Now we, brothers, like Isaac, are sons of the promise.

29 But just as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.

30 And what does Scripture say? “Cast out the woman servant and her son. For the son of a servant women shall not be an heir with the son of a free woman.”

31 And so, brothers, we are not the sons of the servant woman, but rather of the free woman. And this is the freedom with which Christ has set us free.

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Galatians

Galatians 5

1 Stand firm, and do not be willing to be again held by the yoke of servitude.

2 Behold, I, Paul, say to you, that if you have been circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.

3 For I again testify, about every man circumcising himself, that he is obligated to act according to the entire law.

4 You are being emptied of Christ, you who are being justified by the law. You have fallen from grace.

5 For in spirit, by faith, we await the hope of justice.

6 For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision prevails over anything, but only faith which works through charity.

7 You have run well. So what has impeded you, that you would not obey the truth?

8 This kind of influence is not from him who is calling you.

9 A little leaven corrupts the whole mass.

10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will accept nothing of the kind. However, he who disturbs you shall bear the judgment, whomever he may be.

11 And as for me, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still suffering persecution? For then the scandal of the Cross would be made empty.

12 And I wish that those who disturb you would be torn away.

13 For you, brothers, have been called to liberty. Only you must not make liberty into an occasion for the flesh, but instead, serve one another through the charity of the Spirit.

14 For the entire law is fulfilled by one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

15 But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you are not consumed by one another!

16 So then, I say: Walk in the spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.

17 For the flesh desires against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. And since these are against one another, you may not do whatever you want.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest; they are: fornication, lust, homosexuality, self-indulgence,

20 the serving of idols, drug use, hostility, contentiousness, jealousy, wrath, quarrels, dissensions, divisions,

21 envy, murder, inebriation, carousing, and similar things. About these things, I continue to preach to you, as I have preached to you: that those who act in this way shall not obtain the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, forbearance,

23 meekness, faith, modesty, abstinence, chastity. There is no law against such things.

24 For those who are Christ’s have crucified their flesh, along with its vices and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, we should also walk by the Spirit.

26 Let us not become desirous of empty glory, provoking one another, envying one another.