1 But I say, that as long as the heir is a child, he differs not from a servant, though he is lord of all,
2 but is under tutors and stewards till the time appointed by the father.
3 So also we, when we were children, were in servitude under the rudiments of the world;
4 but when the fullness of time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5 that he might redeem those under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 So that you are no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, also an heir of God.
8 But formerly, not knowing God you served beings which are not really Gods;
9 but now knowing God, or rather being known by God, how do you turn again to the weak and imperfect rudiments, which you wish again to serve?
10 Do you observe days, and months, and times, and years?
11 I am afraid of you, lest I have expended labor on you in vain.
12 I beseech you, brothers, be as I am, for I am as you [ought to be]. You did not injure me;
13 but you knew I preached the gospel to you on my former [visit] in weakness of the flesh,
14 and my trial in my flesh you despised not nor rejected, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
15 What then was your blessedness? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have dug out your eyes and have given them to me.
16 Have I therefore become your enemy, by telling you the truth?
17 They are zealous for you, but not well, but they wish to exclude you that you may be zealous for them.
18 It is good to be zealous for a good object always, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, with whom I am again in pain till Christ is formed in you,
20 I wish to be present with you now and change my voice with you, for I am in doubt of you.
21 Tell me, you that wish to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by a servant woman, and the other by a free woman.
23 But he by the servant woman was born of the flesh, and he by the free woman, by the promise.
24 These things are allegorical, for those [women] are two covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing children for servitude, which is Hagar;
25 for Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; and the present Jerusalem answers to her, for she is in servitude with her children.
26 But the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us;
27 for it is written, Rejoice, barren woman, that did not bear, break forth and cry, woman that had no pain, for the children of the desolate are more numerous than those of her who had a husband.
28 But we, brothers, like Isaac, are children of the promise.
29 But as then he that was born of the flesh persecuted him that was born of the Spirit, so also now.
30 But what says the Scripture? Cast out the servant-woman and her son; for the son of the servant woman shall not be an heir, with the son of the free.