Galatians 4

1But I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is lord of all.

2But is under guardians and stewards until the father's appointed time.

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

4But when the fullness of time arrived, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.

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

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

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

8But even then, not knowing God, you served those who by nature are not gods.

9But now that you have come to know God, or rather have been known by God, how do you turn back again to the weak and worthless principles, to which you want to be enslaved all over again?

10You observe days and months and seasons and years.

11I fear for you, lest somehow I have toiled for you in vain.

12Become like me, brothers, for I also have become like you—I beg you, you have in no way wronged me.

13But you know that because of a weakness of the flesh I brought the good news to you the first time.

14And though the trial to you in my flesh was severe, you did not despise it nor reject it, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.

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

16So have I become your enemy by speaking the truth to you?

17They zealously desire you, not honorably, but want to exclude you so that you will zealously desire them.

18But it is good to be zealous always in a good way, and not only when I am present with you.

19My children, for whom I labor again until Christ is formed in you.

20I 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 hear the law?

22For Scripture records that Abraham had two sons, one from the slave-girl and one from the free woman.

23But the one from the bondmaid was born according to the flesh, but the one from the free woman through the promise.

24These things are an allegory, for these are two covenants—one from Mount Sinai, bearing children into slavery, which is Hagar.

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

26But the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother.

27For it stands written: "Rejoice, barren one who bears no children; burst forth and cry out, you who suffer no birth pangs, because more numerous are the children of the desolate than those of the woman with a husband."

28But you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.

29But just as at that time the one born according to the flesh persecuted the one according to the Spirit, so also now.

30But what does Scripture say? "Drive out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not inherit with the son of the free woman."

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