Galatians 4
1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all;
But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all,
2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father.
but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.
3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world:
So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.
4 but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,
5 that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children.
6 And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”
7 So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
8 Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods:
However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.
9 but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?
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 in bondage all over again?
10 Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years.
You observe days, months, seasons, and years.
11 I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.
I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
12 I beseech you, brethren, become as I [am], for I also [am become] as ye [are]. Ye did me no wrong:
I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,
13 but ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the first time:
but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time.
14 and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but ye received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus.
That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 Where then is that gratulation of yourselves? for I bear you witness, that, if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
What 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 So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth?
So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 They zealously seek you in no good way; nay, they desire to shut you out, that ye may seek them.
They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them.
18 But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only when I am present with you.
But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you—
My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you—
20 but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone; for I am perplexed about you.
but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law?
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman.
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman.
23 Howbeit the [son] by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the [son] by the freewoman [is born] through promise.
However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.
24 Which things contain an allegory: for these [women] are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar.
These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.
25 Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children.
For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children.
26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother.
But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: For more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath the husband.
For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break out and shout, you who don’t travail. For the desolate women have more children than her who has a husband.”
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him [that was born] after the Spirit, so also it is now.
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 Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman.
However, what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman.”
31 Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman.
So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant, but of the free woman.
