Christian Standard Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

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.

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,

2Instead, he is under guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.

2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.

3In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elements of the world.

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

4When the time came to completion, God sent 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 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.

6And because you are sons, God 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!"

7So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.

7Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

8But in the past, since you didn't know God, you were enslaved to things 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.

9But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elements? 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 special days, months, seasons, and years.

10You observe days and months and seasons and years.

11I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.

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

12I beg you, brothers and sisters: Become like me, for I also became like you. You have not wronged me;

12I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;

13you know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a weakness of the flesh.

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

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.

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 blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn 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 because I told you the truth?

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

17They court you eagerly, but not for good. They want to exclude you from me, so that you would pursue them.

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

18But it is always good to be pursued in a good manner--and not just when I am 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 suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you.

19My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in 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.

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, don't you hear 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 a slave and the other by a free woman.

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

23But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by 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.

24These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into 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, childless woman, unable to give birth. Burst into song and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate woman will be many, 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."

28Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.

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

29But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit, so also 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? "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."

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 a slave but of the free woman.

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

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org