25-29 Circumcision, the surgical ritual that marks you as a Jew, is great if you live in accord with God’s law. But if you don’t, it’s worse than not being circumcised. The reverse is also true: The uncircumcised who keep God’s ways are as good as the circumcised—in fact, better. Better to keep God’s law uncircumcised than break it circumcised. Don’t you see: It’s not the cut of a knife that makes a Jew. You become a Jew by who you are. It’s the mark of God on your heart, not of a knife on your skin, that makes a Jew. And recognition comes from God, not legalistic critics.

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28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,(A) nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.(B) 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,(C) by the Spirit,(D) not by the written code.(E) Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.(F)

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