加拉太書 4
1 再說：承繼人幾時還是孩童，雖然他是一切家業的主人，卻與奴隸沒有分別，
But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, though he is lord of all;
2 仍屬於監護人和代理人的權下，直到父親預定的期限。
but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.
3 同樣，當我們以前還作孩童的時候，我們是隸屬今世的蒙學權下；
So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.
4 但時期一滿，天主就派遣了自己的兒子來，生於女人，生於法律之下，
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,
5 為把在法律之下的人贖出來，使我們獲得義子的地位。
that he might redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 為證實你們確實的天主的子女，天主派遣了自己兒子的聖神，到我們內心喊說：「阿爸，父啊! 」
And because you are sons, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father."
7 所以你已不再是奴隸，而是兒子了；如果是兒子，賴天主的恩寵，也成了承繼人。
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God.
8 當你們還不認識天主的時候，服事了一些本來不是神的神；
However at that time, not knowing God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.
9 但如今你們認識了天主，更好說為天主所認識；那麼，你們怎麼又再回到那無能無用的蒙學裏去，情願再作他們的奴隸呢﹖
But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?
10 你們竟又謹守某日、某月、某時、某年!
You observe days, months, seasons, and years.
11 我真為你們擔心，怕我白白地為你們辛苦了。
I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
12 弟兄們! 我懇求你們要像我一樣，因為我曾一度也像你們一樣。你們一點也沒有虧負過我。
I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,
13 你們知道：當我初次給你們宣講福音時，正當我身患重病，
but you know that in physical weakness I preached the Good News to you the first time;
14 雖然我的病勢為你們是個試探，你們卻沒有輕看我，也沒有厭棄我，反接待我有如一位天主的天使，有如基督耶穌。
and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 那麼，你們當日所慶幸的在那裡呢﹖我敢為你們作證：如若可能，你們那時也會把你們的眼睛挖出來給我。
Where was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
16 那麼，只因我給你們說實話，就成了你們的仇人嗎﹖
So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 那些人對你們表示關心，並不懷好好意； 他們只是願意使你們與我隔絕，好叫你們也關心他們。
They zealously seek you, but for no good purpose; they desire to alienate you, that you may be zealous for them.
18 受人關心固然是好的，但應懷好意，且該常常如此，並不單是我在你們中間的時候。
But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
19 我的孩子們! 我願為你們再受產痛，直到基督在你們內形成為止。
My children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you—
20 恨不得我現今就在你們跟前，改變我的聲調，因為我對你們實在放心不下。
but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
21 你們願意屬於法律的，請告訴我：你們沒有聽見法律說什麼嗎﹖
Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?
22 法律曾記載說：亞巴郎有兩個兒子：一個生於婢女，一個生於自由的婦人。
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman, and one by the free woman.
23 那生於婢女的，是按常例而生的；但那生於自由婦人的，卻是因恩許而生的。
However, the son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.
24 這都含有寓意：那兩個婦人是代表兩個盟約：一是出於西乃山，生子為奴，那即是哈加爾──
These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to slavery, which is Hagar.
25 西乃山是在阿剌伯──這哈加爾相當於現在的耶路撒冷，因為耶路撒冷與她的子女同為奴隸。
For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and represents Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in slavery with her children.
26 然而那屬於天上的耶路撒冷卻是自由的，她就是我們的母親：
But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.
27 誠如經上記載說：『不生育的石女，喜樂罷! 未經產痛的女人，歡呼高唱罷! 因為被棄者的子女比有夫者的子女還多。』
For it is written, "Rejoice, you barren who do not bear. Break forth and shout, you that do not travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband."
28 弟兄們! 你們像依撒格一樣，是恩許的子女。
Now you, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29 但是，先前那按常例而生的怎樣迫害了那按神恩而生的，如今還是這樣。
But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
30 然而經上說了什麼﹖『你將婢女和她的兒子趕走，因為婢女的兒子不能與自由婦人的兒子，一同承受家業。』
However what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not inherit with the son of the free woman."
31 所以，弟兄們，我們不是婢女的子女，而是自由婦人的子女。
So then, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free woman.
