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I say that the heir is no different from a slave while he remains a child, although he owns the whole estate. 2 Instead, he remains subject to guardians and stewards until the time set by his father. 3 So it is with us also. When we were children, we were held in slavery to the elemental forces of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then God has also made you an heir.
8 In the past, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental forces? Do you want to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You observe special days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am fearful for you, that perhaps my work for you has been wasted.
12 Brothers, I beg you, become like me, for I also became like you. You have done me no wrong. 13 You know that I was physically unwell when I first preach the gospel to you, 14 and even though my physical condition was a trial for you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, or even Christ Jesus Himself. 15 What has happened to all this blessing you enjoyed? For I testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 Those people zealously pursue you, but not for any good. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. 18 Now it is good to be zealous, when it is always for a good purpose, and not just when I am with you. 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth for you until Christ is formed in you, 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and the other by a free woman. 23 The son of the slave woman was born according to the flesh; but the son of the free woman was born as the result of a promise.
24 These things may be taken symbolically, for the women represent the two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and it bears children for slavery—this is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written:
“Rejoice, O barren woman,
who bears no children!
Break forth and shout,
you who is not in labour,
for more are the children of the desolate woman,
then she who has a husband”.
28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time the son who was born according to the flesh persecuted the son who was born according to the Spirit, so it is the same also now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will never share in the inheritance with the son of the free woman”. 31 Therefore, friends, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.