Galatians 4
1 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;
Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.
But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father:
3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.
So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world.
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:
5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.
That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because you are sons, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father."
And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father.
7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God.
Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.
8 However at that time, not knowing God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.
But then indeed, not knowing God, you served them, who, by nature, are not gods.
9 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?
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?
10 You observe days, months, seasons, and years.
You observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11 I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
I am afraid of you, lest perhaps I have laboured in vain among you.
12 I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,
Be ye as I, because I also am as you: brethren, I beseech you: you have not injured me at all.
13 but you know that in physical weakness I preached the gospel to you the first time;
And you know, how through infirmity of the flesh, I preached the gospel to you heretofore: and your temptation in my flesh,
14 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 Messiah Jesus.
You despised not, nor rejected: but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 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.
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.
16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Am I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
17 They zealously seek you, but for no good purpose; they desire to alienate you, that you may be zealous for them.
They are zealous in your regard not well: but they would exclude you, that you might be zealous for them.
18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
But be zealous for that which is good in a good thing always: and not only when I am present with you.
19 My children, of whom I am again in travail until Messiah is formed in you—
My little children, of whom I am in labour again, until Christ be 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.
And I would willingly be present with you now, and change my voice: because I am ashamed for you.
21 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?
Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, have you not read the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman, and one by the free woman.
For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, and the other by a free woman.
23 However, the son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.
But he who was of the bondwoman, was born according to the flesh: but he of the free woman, was by promise.
24 These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to slavery, which is Hagar.
Which things are said by an allegory. For these are the two testaments. The one from mount Sina, engendering unto bondage; which is Agar:
25 For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and represents Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in slavery with her children.
For Sina is a mountain in Arabia, which hath affinity to that Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.
But that Jerusalem, which is above, is free: which is our mother.
27 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."
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.
28 Now you, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29 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.
But as then he, that was born according to the flesh, persecuted him that was after the spirit; so also it is now.
30 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."
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.
31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free woman.
So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman, but of the free: by the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.
