Berean Study Bible

English Standard Version

1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything.

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,

2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.

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

3So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.

7So 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 slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

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

9But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

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?

10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!

10You observe days and months and seasons and years!

11I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain.

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

12I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.

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

13You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.

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

14And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself.

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.

15What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

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.

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

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

17Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.

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

18Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you.

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

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

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

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

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

21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says?

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

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

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

23His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.

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

24These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar.

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

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

25Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she 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, and she is our mother.

27For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”

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.”

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

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

29At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now.

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.

30But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”

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.”

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

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

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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.