Galatians

4 But I say:—For as long a time as the heir is an infant He differeth nothing from a servant, though lord of all,

2 But is under guardians and stewards, until the [day] fore-appointed of the father:

3 So also we when we were infants Under the elementary principles of the world were held in servitude;

4 But when the fulness of the time came God sent forth his Son, Who came to be of a woman, Who came to be under law,—

5 That them who were under law he might redeem, That the sonship we might duly receive;—

6 And because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, exclaiming, Abba! Oh Father!

7 So that no longer art thou a servant but a son; And if a son an heir also through God.

8 But at that time—Not knowing God Ye were in servitude unto them who by nature are not Gods;

9 Whereas now—Having acknowledged God,—or rather Having been acknowledged by God How turn ye back again unto the weak and beggarly elementary principles unto which over again ye are wishing to come into servitude?

10 Days ye do narrowly observe, and months and seasons and years:—

11 I am afraid of you—Lest by any means in vain I should have toiled for you!

12 Become ye as I, Because I also [was] as ye,—brethren, I entreat you. Not at all have ye wronged me.

13 Howbeit ye know that by reason of a weakness of the flesh I myself announced the glad-message unto you formerly;

14 And your trial in my flesh ye despised not neither spat ye [in disgust], But as a messenger of God ye welcomed me—As Christ Jesus.

15 Where then is the happiness ye accounted yours? For I bear you witness—That if possible your eyes ye would have dug out and given unto me.

16 So then your enemy have I become by dealing truthfully with you?

17 They shew a zeal for you not honourably, But wish to shut you out In order that ye may be zealous for them.

18 Howbeit it is honourable to show zeal in what is honourable at all times, and not only when I am present with you;—

19 My dear children! for whom I again am in birth-pains Until Christ be formed within you;—

20 I could wish however to be present with you even now and to change my voice,—Because I am perplexed regarding you.

21 Tell me! ye who under law are wishing to be: The law do ye not hear?

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons—One by the bondmaid And one by the free woman;

23 But he that was of the bondmaid After the flesh had been born, Whereas he that was of the free woman Through means of a promise.

24 Which things indeed may bear another meaning; For the same are two covenants,—One indeed from Mount Sinai Into bondage bringing forth, The which is Hagar,—

25 And the Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia,—She answereth however unto the present Jerusalem, For she is in bondage with her children;

26 But the Jerusalem above is free,—The which is our mother;

27 For it is written—Be gladdened, O barren one! that wast not giving birth, Break forth and shout, thou that wast not in birth-pains,—Because more are the children of the deserted one Than of her that had the husband.

28 And we brethren, after the manner of Isaac Are children of a promise.

29 But just as then he that after the manner of the flesh had been born Did persecute him who [had been born] after the manner of the Spirit Thus also now.

30 But, what saith the scripture? Cast out the serving woman and her son; For in nowise shall the son of the serving woman inherit with the son of the free.

31 Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a serving woman, but of the free:—