Galatians 1

1 Paul, an apostle — not from men, nor through a man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead — [a] 2 and all the brothers with me, to the gatherings of Galatia: [b] 3 Favor to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, [d] 4 who gave himself for our sins so that he might take us out of the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. [e]

6 I am amazed that you are so quickly shifting away from the one who called you in the favor of Christ, to a different good news — [f] 7 which is not another; only there are some who are stirring you up and wanting to turn the good news of Christ around. [g] 8 But even if we, or a messenger out of heaven, should bring you good news beyond what we brought you as good news, let him be a thing devoted. [h] † 9 As we have said before, and now I say again: if anyone brings you good news beyond what you received, let him be a thing devoted.

10 For am I now persuading men, or God? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I would not be Christ’s slave. [j]

11 For I make known to you, brothers, that the good news brought as good news by me is not according to man; [k] 12 for neither did I receive it from a man, nor was I taught it, but through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you heard of my way of life once in Judaism — that beyond measure I was persecuting the gathering of God and laying it waste, [l] 14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, being far more zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when the one who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me through his favor was pleased [m] 16 to reveal his Son in me, so that I might bring him as good news among the nations, I did not at once consult with flesh and blood, [n] 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days; [o] 19 but I saw no other of the apostles, except James the brother of the Lord. [p] 20 In what I am writing to you — look, before God — I am not lying. [q]

21 Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the gatherings of Judea that are in Christ; 23 they were only hearing, “The one who once persecuted us is now bringing as good news the faith he once laid waste,” 24 and they were glorifying God in me.