1. Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem. This time I went with Barnabas. I took Titus along also.
2. I went because God showed me what he wanted me to do. I told the people there the good news that I preach among those who aren't Jews. But I spoke in private to those who seemed to be leaders. I was afraid that I was running or had run my race for nothing.
3. Titus was with me. He was a Greek. But even he was not forced to be circumcised.
4. That matter came up because some who pretended to be believers had slipped in among us. They wanted to find out about the freedom we have because we belong to Christ Jesus. They wanted to make us slaves again.
5. We didn't give in to them for a moment. We wanted the truth of the good news to remain with you.
6. Some people in Jerusalem seemed to be important. It makes no difference to me what they were. God does not judge by what he sees on the outside. Those people added nothing to my message.