New King James Version

English Standard Version

1Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,

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,

2but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.

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

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 enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.

4But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth 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,

5to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

5to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

6And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

6And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

7Therefore you are no longer a slave 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.

8But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.

8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.

9But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

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?

10You observe days and months and seasons and years.

10You observe days and months and seasons and years!

11I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

11I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

12Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all.

12Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.

13You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.

13You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first,

14And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

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.

15What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own 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.

16Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

16Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous 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.

18But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.

18It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you,

19My little children, for whom I labor in birth again 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!

20I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

20I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

21Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?

21Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?

22For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.

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

23But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,

23But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.

24which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which 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.

25for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—

25Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.

26but the Jerusalem 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: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she 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.”

28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

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

29But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is 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.

30Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “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? “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.”

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

31So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.