Galatians Chapter 3

The Spirit, and the blessing promised to Abraham comes not by the law, but by faith.

English (Douay-Rheims)

1 O senseless Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth: before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish that, whereas you began in the Spirit, you would now be made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so great things in vain? If it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore who giveth to you the Spirit and worketh miracles among you: doth he do it by the works of the law or by the hearing of the faith?

6 As it is written: Abraham believed God: and it was reputed to him unto justice. 7 Know ye, therefore, that they who are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God justifieth the Gentiles by faith, told unto Abraham before: In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 Therefore, they that are of faith shall be blessed with faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: Cursed is every one that abideth, not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that in the law no man is justified with God, it is manifest: because the just man liveth by faith. 12 But the law is not of faith: but he that doth those things shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us (for it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree). 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus: that we may receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.

15 Brethren (I speak after the manner of man), yet a man's testament, if it be confirmed, no man despiseth nor addeth to it. 16 To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not: And to his seeds as of many. But as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 Now this I say: that the testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years doth not disannul, to make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.

19 Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Because of transgressions... To restrain them from sin, by fear and threats. Ordained by angels... The law was delivered by angels, speaking in the name and person of God to Moses, who was the mediator, on this occasion, between God and the people. 20 Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one. 21 Was the law then against the promises of God: God forbid! For if there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe. Hath concluded all under sin... that is, hath declared all to be under sin, from which they could not be delivered but by faith in Jesus Christ, the promised seed. 23 But before the faith came, we were kept under the law shut up, unto that faith which was to be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our pedagogue in Christ: that we might be justified by faith. Pedagogue... That is, schoolmaster, conductor, or instructor. 25 But after the faith is come, we are no longer under a pedagogue.

26 For you are all the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Neither Jew, etc... That is, no distinction of Jew, etc. 29 And if you be Christ's, then are you the seed of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.

Old Testament first published 1609 by the English College at Douay
New Testament first published 1582 by the English College at Rheims
Revised and Annotated 1749 by Bishop Richard Challoner
Imprimatur. +James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, September 1, 1899

Latin (Clementine Vulgate)

1 O insensati Galatæ, quis vos fascinavit non obedire veritati, ante quorum oculos Jesus Christus præscriptus est, in vobis crucifixus? 2 Hoc solum a vobis volo discere: ex operibus legis Spiritum accepistis, an ex auditu fidei? 3 sic stulti estis, ut cum Spiritu cœperitis, nunc carne consummemini? 4 tanta passi estis sine causa? si tamen sine causa. 5 Qui ergo tribuit vobis Spiritum, et operatur virtutes in vobis: ex operibus legis, an ex auditu fidei?

6 Sicut scriptum est: Abraham credidit Deo, et reputatum est illi ad justitiam: 7 cognoscite ergo quia qui ex fide sunt, ii sunt filii Abrahæ. 8 Providens autem Scriptura quia ex fide justificat gentes Deus, prænuntiavit Abrahæ: Quia benedicentur in te omnes gentes. 9 Igitur qui ex fide sunt, benedicentur cum fideli Abraham. 10 Quicumque enim ex operibus legis sunt, sub maledicto sunt. Scriptum est enim: Maledictus omnis qui non permanserit in omnibus quæ scripta sunt in libro legis ut faciat ea. 11 Quoniam autem in lege nemo justificatur apud Deum, manifestum est: quia justus ex fide vivit. 12 Lex autem non est ex fide, sed: Qui fecerit ea, vivet in illis. 13 Christus nos redemit de maledicto legis, factus pro nobis maledictum: quia scriptum est: Maledictus omnis qui pendet in ligno: 14 ut in gentibus benedictio Abrahæ fieret in Christo Jesu, ut pollicitationem Spiritus accipiamus per fidem.

15 Fratres (secundum hominem dico) tamen hominis confirmatum testamentum nemo spernit, aut superordinat. 16 Abrahæ dictæ sunt promissiones, et semini ejus. Non dicit: Et seminibus, quasi in multis: sed quasi in uno: Et semini tuo, qui est Christus. 17 Hoc autem dico, testamentum confirmatum a Deo: quæ post quadringentos et triginta annos facta est lex, non irritum facit ad evacuandam promissionem. 18 Nam si ex lege hæreditas, jam non ex promissione. Abrahæ autem per repromissionem donavit Deus.

19 Quid igitur lex? Propter transgressiones posita est donec veniret semen, cui promiserat, ordinata per angelos in manu mediatoris. 20 Mediator autem unius non est: Deus autem unus est. 21 Lex ergo adversus promissa Dei? Absit. Si enim data esset lex, quæ posset vivificare, vere ex lege esset justitia. 22 Sed conclusit Scriptura omnia sub peccato, ut promissio ex fide Jesu Christi daretur credentibus. 23 Prius autem quam veniret fides, sub lege custodiebamur conclusi in eam fidem quæ revelanda erat. 24 Itaque lex pædagogus noster fuit in Christo, ut ex fide justificemur. 25 At ubi venit fides, jam non sumus sub pædagogo.

26 Omnes enim filii Dei estis per fidem, quæ est in Christo Jesu. 27 Quicumque enim in Christo baptizati estis, Christum induistis. 28 Non est Judæus, neque Græcus: non est servus, neque liber: non est masculus, neque femina. Omnes enim vos unum estis in Christo Jesu. 29 Si autem vos Christi, ergo semen Abrahæ estis, secundum promissionem hæredes.

Transcribed as part of the Clementine Vulgate Project
Please notify the original transcriber (little.mouth@soon.com) of any errors in this Latin edition