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Acts 27

Amplified Bible, 2015 (AMP)

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¹ I wish that those who are troubling you [by teaching that circumcision is necessary for salvation] would even [go all the way and] castrate themselves!

² For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the[5] sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through[6] love serve and seek the best for one another.

³ For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit]."

⁴ But if you bite and devour one another [in bickering and strife], watch out that you [along with your entire fellowship] are not consumed by one another.

⁵ But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the[7] sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].

⁶ For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the[8] sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.

⁷ But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.

⁸ Now the practices of the[9] sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control),

⁹ [10] idolatry,[11] sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies],

¹⁰ envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

¹¹ But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

¹² gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

¹³ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the[12] sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.

¹⁴ If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].

¹⁵ We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.

¹⁶ Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.

¹⁷ Carry one another's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].

¹⁸ For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when [in fact] he is nothing [special except in his own eyes], he deceives himself.

¹⁹ But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable[1] without comparing himself to another.

²⁰ For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible].

²¹ The one who is taught the word [of God] is to share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his spiritual and material support].

²² Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.

²³ For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

²⁴ Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.

²⁵ So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

²⁶ See with what[2] large letters I[3] am writing to you with my own hand.

²⁷ Those who want to make a good impression in public [before the Jews] try to compel you to be circumcised, just so they will escape being persecuted for [faithfulness to] the cross of Christ.

²⁸ For even the circumcised [Jews] themselves do not [really] keep the Law, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh [that is, in the fact that they convinced you to be circumcised].

²⁹ But far be it from me to boast [in anything or anyone], except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

³⁰ For neither is circumcision anything [of any importance], nor uncircumcision, but [only] a new creation [which is the result of a new birth—a spiritual transformation—a new nature in Christ Jesus].

³¹ Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule [who discipline themselves and conduct their lives by this principle], and upon the [true] Israel of God (Jewish believers).

³² From now on let no one trouble me [by making it necessary for me to justify my authority as an apostle, and the absolute truth of the gospel], for I bear on my body the[4] branding-marks of Jesus [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions—these testify to His ownership of me].

³³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, my[5] brothers and sisters. Amen.

³⁴ Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed), by the will of God [that is, by His purpose and choice], To the[1] saints (God's people)[2] who are at Ephesus and are faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus:

³⁵ Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³⁶ [3] Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ,

³⁷ just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love

³⁸ He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will—

³⁹ to the praise of His glorious grace and favor, which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved [His Son, Jesus Christ].

⁴⁰ In Him we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace

⁴¹ which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and understanding [with practical insight]

⁴² He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ,

⁴³ with regard to the fulfillment of the times [that is, the end of history, the climax of the ages]—to bring all things together in Christ, [both] things in the heavens and things on the earth.

⁴⁴ In Him also we have[4] received an inheritance [a destiny—we were claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will,

#	AMP
1	I wish that those who are troubling you [by teaching that circumcision is necessary for salvation] would even [go all the way and] castrate themselves!
2	For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the[5] sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through[6] love serve and seek the best for one another.
3	For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit]."
4	But if you bite and devour one another [in bickering and strife], watch out that you [along with your entire fellowship] are not consumed by one another.
5	But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the[7] sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].
6	For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the[8] sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.
7	But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
8	Now the practices of the[9] sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control),
9	[10] idolatry,[11] sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies],
10	envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
11	But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
12	gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
13	And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the[12] sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.
14	If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].
15	We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.
16	Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.
17	Carry one another's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].
18	For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when [in fact] he is nothing [special except in his own eyes], he deceives himself.
19	But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable[1] without comparing himself to another.
20	For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible].
21	The one who is taught the word [of God] is to share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his spiritual and material support].
22	Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.
23	For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
24	Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.
25	So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).
26	See with what[2] large letters I[3] am writing to you with my own hand.
27	Those who want to make a good impression in public [before the Jews] try to compel you to be circumcised, just so they will escape being persecuted for [faithfulness to] the cross of Christ.
28	For even the circumcised [Jews] themselves do not [really] keep the Law, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh [that is, in the fact that they convinced you to be circumcised].
29	But far be it from me to boast [in anything or anyone], except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
30	For neither is circumcision anything [of any importance], nor uncircumcision, but [only] a new creation [which is the result of a new birth—a spiritual transformation—a new nature in Christ Jesus].
31	Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule [who discipline themselves and conduct their lives by this principle], and upon the [true] Israel of God (Jewish believers).
32	From now on let no one trouble me [by making it necessary for me to justify my authority as an apostle, and the absolute truth of the gospel], for I bear on my body the[4] branding-marks of Jesus [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions—these testify to His ownership of me].
33	The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, my[5] brothers and sisters. Amen.
34	Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed), by the will of God [that is, by His purpose and choice], To the[1] saints (God's people)[2] who are at Ephesus and are faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus:
35	Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
36	[3] Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ,
37	just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love
38	He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will—
39	to the praise of His glorious grace and favor, which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved [His Son, Jesus Christ].
40	In Him we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace
41	which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and understanding [with practical insight]
42	He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ,
43	with regard to the fulfillment of the times [that is, the end of history, the climax of the ages]—to bring all things together in Christ, [both] things in the heavens and things on the earth.
44	In Him also we have[4] received an inheritance [a destiny—we were claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will,

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