Galatians 4

1I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in nothing from a servant, though he is lord of all,

2but he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father.

3So also we, when we were children, were enslaved under the elemental principles of the world.

4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

5so that he might redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father.”

7So you are no longer a servant but a son; and if a son, then also an heir through God.

8But at that time, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.

9But now, having come to know God—or rather, having been known by God—how can you turn back again to the weak and poor elemental principles, to which you want to be enslaved all over again?

10You are carefully observing days and months and seasons and years.

11I fear for you, that somehow I have labored over you in vain.

12Become as I am, because I also am as you are, brothers; I beg you, you did me no wrong.

13But you know that it was because of an illness of the flesh that I first proclaimed the good news to you,

14And though my bodily condition was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or disgust; rather, you welcomed me as an angel of God, as Messiah Jesus.

15Where then is your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

16So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17They are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Rather, they want to shut you out, so that you may be zealous for them.

18But it is good to be sought eagerly for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you.

19My children, for whom I am again suffering birth pains until Messiah is formed in you,

20But I wish I could be with you right now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.

21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?

22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant woman and one by the free woman.

23But the son by the servant woman was born according to the flesh, while the son by the free woman was born through promise.

24These things are being interpreted allegorically, for these women are two covenants: one from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.

25Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is enslaved with her children.

26But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

27For it is written: “Rejoice, barren woman who is not bearing children; break forth and cry out, you who are not in labor; because the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband.”

28You, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.

29But just as then the one born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.

30But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the servant woman and her son, for the son of the servant woman will certainly not inherit with the son of the free woman.”

31Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the servant woman, but of the free woman.