Galatians 4

 

1 Now I say this, that the heir, as long as he is still a child, is no different from a servant, though he is the lord of all;

 

2 But remains under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father.

 

3 Even so we (the heirs of God), when we were children, were in bondage, under the elements of the world (with all its death and corruption):

 

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, (His incorruptible seed being) born from a woman, born (a man) under the law (subject to all the same elements in the world),

 

5 To redeem those (from death and corruption) who were under the law (and in bondage to the elements of the world), so that we might (freely) receive all the fullness (of His life and immortality) as (His) sons.

 

6 And because you are (His) sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

 

7 Therefore you are no longer a servant (in bondage to death and corruption), but a (full grown) son; and if you are a son, then you are an inheritor of (the life of) God (which was revealed) in (the resurrection of) Jesus Christ (His Son).

 

8 Why is it then that when you (were under death’s reign and) did not know God (as Father), you performed service to them which by nature are not gods at all (possessing no ability to serve you with life but only death).

 

9 But now, after that you have known God (as Father), or rather are known (as the sons) of God, why (would you) turn again to these weak and destitute elements (contained in the world of touch not, taste not, handle not), do you desire to be in bondage again (to their death and corruption)?

 

10 You observe days, and months, and times, and years.

 

11 I am afraid (and marvel) concerning your (reasoning), that perhaps all the labor I was compelled to give to you has been in vain.

 

12 Brethren, I implore you, to be (free from bondage) as I am; for I have become as you (Gentiles) are, and you have not done any wrong to me.

 

13 You know how that in the weakness of my flesh I proclaimed the gospel to you at first.

 

14 And the temptation (to disregard me which came to you) because of the weakness of my flesh you did not despise, neither did you reject me; but you received me like an angel of God, even like Christ Jesus (Himself).

 

15 What then has (become of) that joy of yours? for I bear record of you, that, if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

 

16 So, have I now become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

 

17 They (who came to you of the circumcision) are jealous of you, but not in a good way (according to the truth in Christ); but rather they desire to exclude you, so that you might be jealous of them.

 

18 But it is always a good thing to be desirous of the truth (according to the knowledge of Christ), and not only when I am present with you.

 

19 My little children, of whom I am again travailing in birth until Christ be (completely) formed in you,

 

20 I desire to be present with you now (face to face), and to change my (tone of) voice (so that you do not think I am your enemy); for I am perplexed by you (that you have been so soon removed from the gospel of Christ that I proclaimed).

 

21 Tell me, (those of) you who desire to be subject to (the bondage and curse that comes from laboring to be justified unto life and immortality in the weakness of your flesh, by performing all the outward ordinances of) the law, do you not hear (the spirit of) the law (written in the scriptures)?

 

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one born from a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.

 

23 But he who was (born) of the bondwoman was born after the flesh, but he that was (born) of the freewoman was by (the Spirit of) promise.

 

24 Which things are (to be understood as) an allegory: for these are two covenants; the one from Mount Sinai, the one (after the flesh) which gives birth to bondage, which is Agar.

 

25 For this Agar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to (natural) Jerusalem that exists now, and which (being born of the flesh) is in bondage (and along) with her children (desolate).

 

26 But (the heavenly) Jerusalem which is (from) above is the free woman (born from the Spirit of promise), which (Spirit) is the mother of us all.

 

27 For it is written, Rejoice, you (who were) barren, that did not bear (because I refused your union to death, says the Lord); break forth and cry (for joy, forgetting the shame of your youth), you that did not travail: because many are the children born desolate (from the flesh) but (the children born from the promise of the Spirit) are those who see (their maker is their) husband (who are barren no more because of the promised seed).

 

28 Now we (who are born of the Spirit), brethren, are as Isaac was, the children (born) from the promise (of the Spirit).

 

29 But just like then, he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so is it now.

 

30 But what does the scripture say? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: because the son of the bondwoman will by no means receive an inheritance (along) with the (rightful) son of the freewoman.

 

31 So then, brethren, we are not servants born from the bondwoman (after the flesh), but of the free (the sons of God, born from the Spirit).