Galatians 4

1 And I say: for as long a time as the heir is an infant, he is no different from a slave, though he is lord of everything; [a] 2 but he is under managers and household managers until the day the father set. [b] 3 So also we, when we were infants, were enslaved under the elements of the world. [c]

4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, come from a woman, come under law, [d] † 5 so that he might buy out those under law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons. [e] 6 And because you are sons, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father.” [f] 7 So you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, then also an heir through God.

8 But then, not knowing God, you served as slaves those which by nature are not gods. [g] 9 But now, knowing God — or rather being known by God — how is it that you are turning back again to the weak and poor elements, to which you want to be enslaved all over again? 10 You are watching days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, that somehow I have labored over you to no purpose. [h]

12 Become as I am, because I also became as you are, brothers, I beg you. You did me no wrong; [i] 13 and you know that it was through a weakness of the flesh that I brought you the good news the first time, 14 and the test to you that was in my flesh you did not treat as nothing or spit away, but you received me as a messenger of God, as Christ Jesus. [j] 15 Where then is your blessing? For I testify to you that, if it had been possible, you would have dug out your eyes and given them to me. [l] 16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17 They 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. [m] 18 And it is good always to be sought with zeal in what is good, and not only when I am present with you — 19 my children, over whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you — [n] 20 and I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, because I am at a loss about you.

21 Tell me, you who want to be under law: do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one from the slave woman and one from the free woman. 23 But the one from the slave woman was born according to flesh, and the one from the free woman through a promise.

24 These things are spoken with another meaning; for these women are two covenants — one from Mount Sinai, bearing children into slavery, which is Hagar. [o] 25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and she stands in the same row as the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. [p] 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: [q]

28 And you, brothers, are children of promise, in the manner of Isaac. [r] 29 But just as then the one born according to flesh persecuted the one born according to Spirit, so also now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall never inherit with the son of the free woman.” [s] 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of a slave woman but of the free woman.