English Standard Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

1I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything,

1Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything,

2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.

2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.

3In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.

3So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.

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

4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

5to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

5so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

6Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

7So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

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

8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.

8However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.

9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?

10You observe days and months and seasons and years!

10You observe days and months and seasons and years.

11I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

11I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.

12Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.

12I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;

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

13but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time;

14and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.

14and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

15What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.

15Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

16Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?

16So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.

17They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.

18It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you,

18But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.

19my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!

19My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you--

20I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

20but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

21Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?

21Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law?

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

22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.

23But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.

23But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.

24Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.

24This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar.

25Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.

25Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.

26But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

26But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.

27For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.”

27For it is written, "REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT BEAR; BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR; FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND."

28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.

28And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.

29But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.

29But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.

30But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.”

30But what does the Scripture say? "CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON, FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN."

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

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

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org