Galatians 3:6-25

6Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,

7so then, understand that those who believe are the sons of Abraham.

8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel to Abraham ahead of time, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”

9So then those who believe are blessed along with Abraham the believer.

10For all who rely on doing the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not keep on doing everything written in the book of the law.”

11Now it is clear no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous one will live by faith.

12But the law is not based on faith, but the one who does the works of the law will live by them.

13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)

14in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we could receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.

15Brothers and sisters, I offer an example from everyday life: When a covenant has been ratified, even though it is only a human contract, no one can set it aside or add anything to it.

16Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. Scripture does not say, “and to the descendants,” referring to many, but “and to your descendant,” referring to one, who is Christ.

17What I am saying is this: The law that came four hundred thirty years later does not cancel a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to invalidate the promise.

18For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise, but God graciously gave it to Abraham through the promise.

19Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the descendant to whom the promise had been made. It was administered through angels by an intermediary.

20Now an intermediary is not for one party alone, but God is one.

21Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.

22But the scripture imprisoned everything and everyone under sin so that the promise could be given – because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ – to those who believe.

23Now before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners until the coming faith would be revealed.

24Thus the law had become our guardian until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous by faith.

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