NET Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1Now I mean that the heir, as long as he is a minor, 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.

3So also we, when we were minors, were enslaved under the basic forces of the world.

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

4But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a 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 may be adopted as sons with full rights.

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 sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, who calls "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 you are a son, then you are also 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 beings that by nature are not gods at all.

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 basic forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?

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 are observing religious days and months and seasons and years.

10You observe days and months and seasons and years.

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

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

12I beg you, brothers and sisters, become like me, because I have become like you. You have done 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;

13But you know it was because of a physical illness that I first proclaimed the gospel to you,

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

14and though my physical condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as though I were an angel of God, as though I were Christ Jesus himself!

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.

15Where then is your sense of happiness now? For I testify about you that if it were possible, you would have pulled 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.

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

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

17They court you eagerly, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly.

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

18However, it is good to be sought eagerly for a good purpose at all times, 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 children--I am again undergoing birth pains 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 with you now and change my tone of voice, because 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 want to be under the law, do you not understand 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 the slave woman and the other by the free woman.

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

23But one, the son by the slave woman, was born by natural descent, while the other, the son by the free woman, was born through the promise.

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

24These things may be treated as an allegory, for these women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai bearing children for slavery; this 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 represents Mount Sinai in Arabia and 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 woman who does not bear children; break forth and shout, you who have no birth pains, because the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than those of the woman 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."

28But you, brothers and sisters, are children of the promise like Isaac.

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

29But just as at that time the one born by natural descent persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so 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? "Throw out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance 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."

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

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

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