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1 What I mean is this: as long as the heir is a minor, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is owner of everything. 2 He is under guardians and managers until the time appointed by his father. 3 So also we, when we were minors, were enslaved under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth 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 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 also an heir through God.
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and poor elements, to which you want to be enslaved all over again? 10 You carefully observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I fear for you, that I may have labored for you in vain.
12 Become as I am, for I too became as you are. I beg you, brothers and sisters. You did me no wrong. 13 You know that it was because of bodily weakness that I first proclaimed the gospel to you. 14 Though my physical condition was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 Where, then, is your sense of blessing? For I testify that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They show great interest in you, but not for good. They want to shut you out, so that you will show great interest in them. 18 It is good to be sought after for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My 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, because I am perplexed about you.
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and one by the free woman. 23 But the one by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through a promise. 24 These things have an allegorical meaning, for these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing 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, barren woman who does not bear children;
break out and cry aloud, you who are not in labor, because the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband.”
28 Now you, brothers and sisters, are children of promise, like Isaac. 29 But just as then the one born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so it is now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will never inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.