Galatians 4
Parallel Chapters

Sons and Heirs

(Genesis 21:1-8; Romans 8:12-17)

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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.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, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything,1Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;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.
2The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.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.2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.2Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father.
3So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.3In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.3So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements 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 set 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,4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,4When the time came to completion, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
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5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.5to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.5so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.5to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive 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 has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”6Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your 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 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 if a son, then an heir through God.7Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.7So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Paul's Concern for the Galatians

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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.8However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.8Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no 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 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 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 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?9But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?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 are observing special days and months and seasons and years!10You observe days and months and seasons and years!10You observe days and months and seasons and years.10Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.10You observe special days, months, seasons, and years.
11I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.11I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.11I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.11I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.11I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.
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12I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong.12Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did 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;12Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.12I beg you, brothers: Become like me, for I also became like you. You have not wronged me;
13As you know, 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,13but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time;13Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.13you know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a physical illness.
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 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.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.14And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even 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.
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 blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged 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.15Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have 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 now become your enemy by telling you the truth?16Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?16So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?16Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
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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.17They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.17They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.17They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect 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 fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just 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,18But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.18But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, 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 dear 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!19My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you--19My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,19My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you 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.20but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.20I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of 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.

Hagar and Sarah

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21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?21Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?21Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law?21Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear 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 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.22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.22For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other 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 as the result of a divine promise.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 son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by 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.
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.24Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she 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.24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.24These things are illustrations, for the women represent the two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery--this is Hagar.
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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 is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she 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.25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage 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 that is above is free, and she is our mother.26But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.26But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.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 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, 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."27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an 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 and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.28And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the 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.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 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.29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so 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.
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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? “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? "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."30Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.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.
31Therefore, brothers and sisters, 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.31So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.31Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.



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