| New International Version | New International Version |
| 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 an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. |
| 2The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. | 2The heir is subject to guardians and trustees 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. | 3So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual 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 set 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 adoption to sonship. |
| 6Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." | 6Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls 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 God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. |
| 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 miserable forces? 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 somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. |
| 12I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. | 12I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. |
| 13As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, | 13As you know, 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 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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 fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, 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 dear 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, are you not aware of 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 as the result of a divine 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 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. |
| 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 city of 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 that is 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: "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." |
| 28Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. | 28Now you, brothers and sisters, 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 the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of 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 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." |
| 31Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. | 31Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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