Galatians 4

1What I am saying is this: as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything.

2He is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.

3In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved under the elemental forces of the world.

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

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

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

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

8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those that by nature are not gods.

9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to those weak and worthless elemental forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?

10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!

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

12Brothers and sisters, I beg you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.

13You know that it was because of a physical illness that I first proclaimed the gospel to you,

14and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not despise or scorn me. Instead, you welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.

15What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify that, if it had been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

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

17They are zealous to win you over, but not for a good purpose. They want to shut you out, so that you will be zealous for them.

18It is always good to be sought after for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you.

19My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

20I wish I could be with you 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 slave woman and one by the free woman.

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

24These things are an allegory. The women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children for slavery; this is Hagar.

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

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

27For it is written, “Rejoice, barren woman, you who bear no children; break forth and shout, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate woman are more than those of the woman who has a husband.”

28Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.

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

30But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will never share the inheritance with the son of the free woman.”

31So, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.