²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,^(A) for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.^(B)

³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”^(A)

⁴⁶ Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.^(A)

¹⁰ Now then, why do you try to test God^(A) by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke^(B) that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?

The Jews and the Law

¹⁷ Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;^{(A) 18} if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; ¹⁹ if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— ²¹ you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?^{(B) 22} You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?^{(C) 23} You who boast in the law,^(D) do you dishonor God by breaking the law? ²⁴ As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”^[a](E)

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(A) Stand firm,^(B) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(C)

¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,^(A) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.^(B)

Freedom From Human Rules

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you^(A) by what you eat or drink,^(B) or with regard to a religious festival,^(C) a New Moon celebration^(D) or a Sabbath day.^(E)

¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things that were to come;^(A) the reality, however, is found in Christ.