Galatians 3:15-22

151Brethren, 2I speak 3in terms of human relations: 4even though it is only a man’s 5covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds 6conditions to it. 16Now the promises were spoken 7to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “8And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17What I am saying is this: the Law, which came 9four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18For 10if the inheritance is 11based on law, it is no longer 12based on a promise; but 13God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

1914Why the Law then? It was added 15because of transgressions, having been 16ordained through angels 17by the 18agency of a mediator, until 19the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20Now 20a mediator is not 21for one party only; whereas God is only one. 21Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? 22May it never be! For 23if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness 24would indeed have been 25based on law. 22But the Scripture has 26shut up 27everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.