3:19 Why then was the law given? ⁷  It was added ⁸  because of transgressions, ⁹  until the arrival of the descendant ¹⁰  to whom the promise had been made. It was administered ¹¹  through angels by an intermediary. ¹²  3:20 Now an intermediary is not for one party alone, but God is one. ¹³  3:21 Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? ¹⁴  Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. ¹⁵  3:22 But the scripture imprisoned ¹⁶  everything and everyone ¹⁷  under sin so that the promise could be given – because of the faithfulness ¹⁸  of Jesus Christ – to those who believe.

3:23 Now before faith ¹⁹  came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners ²⁰  until the coming faith would be revealed. 3:24 Thus the law had become our guardian ²¹  until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous ²²  by faith. 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. ²³  3:26 For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. ²⁴  3:27 For all of you who ²⁵  were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave ²⁶  nor free, there is neither male nor female ²⁷  – for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, ²⁸  heirs according to the promise.