¹² Those who want to look good in the flesh are the ones who are trying to compel you to be circumcised. Their only reason is so that they are not persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ As a matter of fact, those who are circumcised do not keep the law themselves. But they want to have you circumcised, so that they can boast about your flesh.

¹⁴ But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. ¹⁵ In fact, in Christ Jesus^[a] circumcision or uncircumcision does not matter. What matters is being a new creation. ¹⁶ Peace and mercy on those who follow this rule, namely, on the Israel of God.