| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. | 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. |
| 2The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. | 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father. |
| 3So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. | 3So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. |
| 4But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, | 4But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, |
| 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. | 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. |
| 6Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." | 6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” |
| 7So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. | 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also 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 slaves to those who 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 miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? | 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? |
| 10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! | 10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! |
| 11I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. | 11I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain. |
| 12I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. | 12I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. |
| 13As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, | 13You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. |
| 14and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. | 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. |
| 15Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. | 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. |
| 16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? | 16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? |
| 17Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. | 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. |
| 18It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. | 18Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you. |
| 19My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, | 19My children, for whom I am again in the pains 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! | 20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you. |
| 21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? | 21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says? |
| 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 slave woman and the other by the free woman. |
| 23His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. | 23His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. |
| 24These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. | 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. |
| 25Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. | 25Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. |
| 26But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. | 26But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. |
| 27For it is written: "Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband." | 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.” |
| 28Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. | 28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. |
| 29At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. | 29At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now. |
| 30But what does Scripture say? "Get rid of 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? “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.” |
| 31Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. | 31Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. |
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