Galatians 4
1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
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 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father:
but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.
3 So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements 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 was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made 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 who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.
that he might redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father.
And because you are sons, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father."
7 Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God.
8 But then indeed, not knowing God, you served them, who, by nature, are not gods.
However at that time, not knowing God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.
9 But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known by God: how turn you again to the weak and needy elements, which you desire to serve 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 enslaved all over again?
10 You observe days, and months, and times, and years.
You observe days, months, seasons, and years.
11 I am afraid of you, lest perhaps I have laboured in vain among you.
I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
12 Be ye as I, because I also am as you: brethren, I beseech you: you have not injured me at all.
I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,
13 And you know, how through infirmity of the flesh, I preached the gospel to you heretofore: and your temptation in my flesh,
but you know that in physical weakness I preached the Good News to you the first time;
14 You despised not, nor rejected: but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
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 Where is then your blessedness? For I bear you witness, that, if it could be done, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and would have given them to me.
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 Am I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 They are zealous in your regard not well: but they would exclude you, that you might be zealous for them.
They zealously seek you, but for no good purpose; they desire to alienate you, that you may be zealous for them.
18 But be zealous for that which is good in a good thing always: 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 in labour again, until Christ be formed in you.
My children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you—
20 And I would willingly be present with you now, and change my voice: because I am ashamed for 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, you that desire to be under the law, have you not read the law?
Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, and the other by a free woman.
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman, and one by the free woman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman, was born according to the flesh: but he of the free woman, was by promise.
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 Which things are said by an allegory. For these are the two testaments. The one from mount Sina, engendering unto bondage; which is Agar:
These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to slavery, which is Hagar.
25 For Sina is a mountain in Arabia, which hath affinity to that Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and represents Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in slavery with her children.
26 But that Jerusalem, which is above, is free: which is our mother.
But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.
27 For it is written: Rejoice, thou barren, that bearest not: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that hath a husband.
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 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Now you, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29 But as then he, that was born according to the flesh, persecuted him that was 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 But what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son; for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.
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 So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman, but of the free: by the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.
So then, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free woman.
