Galatians 4
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differs 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 of the father.
but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage 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 fullness of the time was come, God sent forth 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 To 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, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth 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 Why you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God.
8 However, then, when you knew not God, you did service to them which by nature are no 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 of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?
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 I have bestowed on you labor in vain.
I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
12 Brothers, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as you are: 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 You know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel to you at the first.
but you know that in physical weakness I preached the Good News to you the first time;
14 And my temptation which was in my flesh 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 the blessedness you spoke of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and 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 therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yes, they would exclude you, that you might affect them.
They zealously seek you, but for no good purpose; they desire to alienate you, that you may be zealous for them.
18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, 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 travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
My children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you—
20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of 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, do you not hear 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 female slave, 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 female slave was born after 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 an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which engenders to 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 this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to 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 Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.
27 For it is written, Rejoice, you barren that bore not; break forth and cry, you that travail not: for the desolate has many more children than she which has an 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, brothers, 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 after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so 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 Nevertheless what says the scripture? Cast out the female slave and her son: for the son of the female slave 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, brothers, we are not children of the female slave, but of the free.
So then, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free woman.
