15 Brothers and sisters, I speak [a]in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s [b]covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds [c]conditions to it.

16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.

17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

18 For if the inheritance is [d]based on law, it is no longer [e]based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

19 Why the Law then? It was added on account of the [f]violations, having been ordered through angels at the hand of a [g]mediator, until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made.

20 Now a mediator is not [h]for one party only; but God is only one.

21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? [i]Far from it! For if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness [j]would indeed have been [k]based on law.

22 But the Scripture has confined [l]everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.