| English Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 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 that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. |
| 2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. | 2Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father. |
| 3In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. | 3In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces of the world. |
| 4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, | 4When the time came to completion, God sent 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. | 5to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. |
| 6And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “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 if a son, then 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 enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. | 8But in the past, when you didn't know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not 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, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt elemental forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? |
| 10You observe days and months and seasons and years! | 10You observe special days, months, seasons, and years. |
| 11I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain. | 11I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted. |
| 12Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. | 12I beg you, brothers: Become like me, for I also became like you. You have not wronged me; |
| 13You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, | 13you know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a physical illness. |
| 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. | 14You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you. On the contrary, 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. | 15What happened to this sense of being blessed you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. |
| 16Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? | 16Have I now 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 are enthusiastic about you, but not for any good. Instead, they want to isolate you so you will be enthusiastic about them. |
| 18It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, | 18Now it is always good to be enthusiastic about good--and not just when I am with you. |
| 19my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! | 19My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you 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. | 20I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don't know what to do about you. |
| 21Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? | 21Tell me, those of you who want to be under the law, don't you hear 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 a slave and the other by a 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 one by the slave was born according to the impulse of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. |
| 24Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. | 24These things are illustrations, for the women represent the two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery--this is Hagar. |
| 25Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. | 25Now 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, and 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, childless woman, who does not give birth. Burst into song and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate are many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband. |
| 28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. | 28Now you, brothers, 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 just as then the child born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so also now. |
| 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? Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman. |
| 31So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. | 31Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. |
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