Galatians 4

31 verses

Verse 1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all; Verse 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. Verse 3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. Verse 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, Verse 5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children. Verse 6 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!" Verse 7 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God. Verse 8 However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods. Verse 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again? Verse 10 You observe days, months, seasons, and years. Verse 11 I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you. Verse 12 I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong, Verse 13 but you know that because of weakness of the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time; Verse 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Verse 15 Where was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. Verse 16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? Verse 17 They zealously seek you, but for no good purpose; they desire to alienate you, that you may be zealous for them. Verse 18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you. Verse 19 My children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you- Verse 20 but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. Verse 21 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? Verse 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the free woman. Verse 23 However, the son by the handmaid was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise. Verse 24 These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. Verse 25 For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children. Verse 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. Verse 27 For it is written, "Rejoice, you barren who do not bear. Break forth and shout, you that do not travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband." Verse 28 Now you, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise. Verse 29 But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. Verse 30 However what does the Scripture say? "Throw out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid will not inherit with the son of the free woman." Verse 31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free woman.