1Now then, I say, for as long a time as the heir is a child, he is no different from a servant, although he be lord of all; 2But he is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed beforehand by the father. 3In the same way, when we were children, we were held in bondage under the elements of the world. 4But when the time for the fulfillment came, God sent forth His own Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5In order that He might redeem those who are under law, so that we might receive the gift of sonship from God. 6And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba, Father." 7So then, you are no longer a servant, but a son. And if a son, you are also an heir of God through Christ.

8Now on the one hand, when you did not know God, you were in bondage to those who are not gods by nature. 9But on the other hand, after having known God--rather, after having been known by God--how is it that you are turning again to the weak and impotent elements, to which you again desire to be in bondage? 10You are of your own selves observing days, and months, and times and years. 11I am afraid for you, lest somehow I have labored among you in vain.

12Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am, for I also am as you are: you have not wronged me in anything. 13Now you know that at first I preached the gospel to you in the weakness of the flesh; 14And the temptation--namely, my trial in my flesh--you despised not, nor rejected with contempt; rather, you received me as a messenger of God, even as Christ Jesus Himself. 15What then was your blessedness? For I bear you witness that, if it were possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16Now then, in speaking the truth to you, have I become your enemy? 17They are zealous after you, but not for good; rather, they desire to exclude you, in order that you may be zealous after them. 18Now it is right to be zealous in a right thing at all times, and not only when I am present with you. 19My little children, for whom I am again laboring in pain until Christ has been formed in you, 20I desire to be with you now, and to change my voice, because I am at a loss concerning you.

21Tell me, you who desire to be under law, do you not hear the law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons: one by the maidservant, and one by the free woman. 23Now on the one hand, he who came from the maidservant was born according to the flesh; but on the other hand, he who came from the free woman was born according to the promise; 24Which things are allegorical, because these are the two covenants. The one from Mount Sinai, which is Hagar, is engendering bondage; 25Because the Mount Sinai covenant is likened to Hagar in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem; and she is in bondage with her children. 26But the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all;

27For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren who did not bear! Break forth and cry, you who were not travailing, because many more are the children of the desolate than of her who has the husband."

28Now we, brethren, like Isaac, are the children of promise. 29But as it was then, so also it is now: he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit.

30Nevertheless, what does the scripture say? "Cast out the maidservant and her son; for in no way shall the son of the maidservant inherit the promise with the son of the free woman."

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