Gal 4
1
But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differs nothing from a bondservant
though he is lord of all;
2
but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father.
3
So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the
world:
4
but when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born
under the law,
5
that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption
of sons.
6
And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying,
Abba, Father.
7
So that you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through
God.
8
Nevertheless at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to them that by nature
are no gods:
9
but now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn you
back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, to which you desire to be in bondage
over again?
10
You observe days, and months, and seasons, and years.
11
I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.
12
I beseech you, brethren, become as I [am], for I also [am become] as you [are]. You
did me no wrong:
13
but you know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel to you
the first time:
14
and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh you despised not, nor rejected;
but you received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus.
15
Where then is that gratulation of yourselves? for I bear you witness, that, if possible,
you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
16
So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth?
17
They zealously seek you in no good way; nay, they desire to shut you out, that you
may seek them.
18
But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only
when I am present with you.
19
My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you--
20
but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone; for I am perplexed
about you.
21
Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
22
For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the
freewoman.
23
Nevertheless the [son] by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the [son] by the
freewoman [is born] through promise.
24
Which things contain an allegory: for these [women] are two covenants; one from mount
Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.
25
Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answers to the Jerusalem that now is:
for she is in bondage with her children.
26
But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother.
27
For it is written, Rejoice, you barren that bear not; Break forth and cry, you that
travail not: For more are the children of the desolate than of her that has
the husband.
28
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
29
But as then he who was born after the flesh persecuted him [that was born] after the
Spirit, so also it is now.
30
Nevertheless what says the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son
of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman.
31
Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman.