Galatians 1

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Paul, a messenger chosen not by humans or through human means, but directly by Jesus Christ and God the Father who brought him back from death.

And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

My brothers and sisters who are with me, send their heartfelt greetings to the congregations in Galatia.

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

May you feel the warmth of God's grace and the tranquility of His peace, from both our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

He selflessly sacrificed for our wrongdoings, to free us from the wickedness of this world, as per God, our Father's divine plan.

To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

May endless honor and praise be theirs, forever and always. So be it.

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

I'm amazed and saddened that you've quickly strayed from the loving grace of Christ, lured by a different gospel.

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

There's no other like it, yet some seek to confuse you and twist the teachings of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach to you a different message from the one we've already shared, let that one be cursed!

As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Just as I've said before, I'll say it again now: if anyone preaches to you a different message from the one you've already accepted, let them be cursed!

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Am I trying to win the approval of people or God? Am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I wouldn't be serving Christ.

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

Dear friends, I assure you, the message I shared with you isn't a human invention.

For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

No human taught me this, nor did I learn it myself. It was Jesus Christ who revealed it to me.

For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

You've heard about my past, when I was part of the Jewish faith, how I intensely persecuted God's church and tried to destroy it.

And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

I excelled in practicing my Jewish faith, surpassing many of my peers in my devotion to our ancestral traditions.

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,

When God, in His divine joy, chose me even before I left my mother's womb and lovingly called me through His mercy,

To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

God unveiled His Son within my soul, inspiring me to share His message with those who didn't know Him. Without hesitation, I didn't seek human approval.

Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

I didn't go to Jerusalem to meet the apostles who came before me. Instead, I journeyed to Arabia, then made my way back to Damascus.

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

Three years later, I journeyed to Jerusalem, filled with anticipation, to meet Peter. I stayed, sharing life with him, for a memorable fifteen days.

But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

I didn't see any other apostles, except for James, who is the Lord's brother.

Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

Everything I'm writing to you is true, I promise before God, I'm not lying.

Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

Then, I journeyed through the lands of Syria and Cilicia, feeling a profound sense of awe and curiosity.

And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

The Christian communities in Judaea, who were deeply rooted in Christ, didn't recognize me by sight.

But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

They only knew this: The one who once tormented us, now passionately shares the faith he once tried to obliterate.

And they glorified God in me.

They praised God through my actions.