1 ¶ Now let me make it clear, That as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a servant, even though he owns the entire estate;

2 He is subject to tutors and guardians until the time appointed by his father.

3 So it is with us, when we were children, we were in bondage to the things of the world:

4 But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

5 To redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

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

7 Therefore you are no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

8 ¶ However, at the time when you did not know God, you served those who by nature are not gods.

9 But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn back to the weak and worthless things, to which you desire to be back in bondage?

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

11 I am afraid that the labor I bestowed on you may have been wasted.

12 ¶ I beg of you, brethren, become like me; for I became like you: and you did me no harm.

13 You know that it was because of a bodily ailment that I first preached the gospel to you.

14 And even though my physical condition was a trial, you did not despise or reject me; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

15 Where is the blessedness you spoke of then? for I bear record, that, if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and given them to me.

16 Have I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

17 ¶ These men zealously seek to win you, but not for what is right; they want to separate you from me, so that you might be devoted to them.

18 Now it is fine to be zealous in good things, and to be so always and not only when I am present with you.

19 ¶ My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

20 I wish I could be present with you now, and change my tone of voice; for I am baffled concerning you.

21 ¶ Tell me, you who want to be under the law, will you not hear the law?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a slave woman, the other by a free woman.

23 His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born in fulfillment of a promise.

24 Those events provide an allegory: for the women represent the two covenants. The one from mount Sinai, whose children are in bondage, is Hagar.

25 For Hagar represents mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem as it now is, and she is in bondage with her children.

26 But the Jerusalem which is above is free, and she is the mother of us all.

27 For it is written, Rejoice, O barren woman who has not given birth; break forth and shout, you who do not travail: for the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband.

28 Now we, brethren, like Isaac, are the children of promise.

29 But even as the son born after the flesh then persecuted the son who was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

30 Nevertheless what does the Bible say? Cast out the slave woman and her son: for the son of the slave woman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.

31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free.