1 Now I say that for as long as the heir is a child {nepios: legally underage}, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is lord {kurios: rightful master} of all things.
2 But he is under guardians {epitropos: legal caretakers} and managers until the appointed time {prothesmia: fixed legal date} of the father.
3 In the same way, we also, when we were children {nepioi: spiritually immature}, were under the elementary principles of the world, having been enslaved {dedoulomenoi: held in bondage}.
4 But when the fullness {pleroma: divinely appointed climax} of the time had come, God {Theos, Sovereign Arranger} sent forth His Son, born of a woman {gynaikos: female humanity}, born under the law.
5 In order that He {Christos, Redemptive Son} might redeem those under the law, so that we might receive the adoption {huiothesia: sonship status}.
6 And because you are sons, God {Theos, Adopting Father} sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father {pater: Intimate Authority}.”
7 So then you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then also an heir {kleronomos: legal inheritor} through God {Theos, Faithful Grantor}.
8 But at that time, when you did not know God {Theos, Only True Deity}, you were slaves to those who by nature {physei: inherent quality} are not gods.
9 But now that you have come to know God {Theos, Relational Knower}, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you are turning back again to the weak and poor elements {stoicheia: basic religious forces}, to which you desire once more to be enslaved?
10 You are observing {paratereisthe: religiously keeping} days and months and seasons {kairous: festival times}, and years.
11 I am afraid {phoboumai: deeply concerned} for you, lest somehow I have labored in vain {eike: without lasting result} for you.
12 Brothers {adelphoi: faith family}, I beg you, become as I am, because I also have become as you are; you have done me no wrong {adikesate: treated unfairly}.
13 But you know that it was because of weakness {astheneian: physical frailty} of the flesh {sarx: bodily nature} that I preached the gospel to you at first.
14 And the trial you had because of my flesh, you did not despise or spit out, but you received me as an angel of God {Theos, Revered Sender}, as Christ Jesus {Christos Iesous, Honored Lord}.
15 Where then is your blessedness {makarismos: former rejoicing}? For I testify to you that, if it had been possible, you would have torn out your eyes {ophthalmous: cherished members} and given them to me.
16 So then, have I become your enemy {echthros: one in hostility} by telling you the truth {aletheuon: speaking what is genuine}?
17 They are zealous for you, but not in a good way; instead, they want to exclude {ekkleisai: shut out relationally} you, so that you will be zealous {zeloute: show fervent loyalty} for them.
18 But it is good to be zealous {zelousthai: intensely devoted} in what is good always {pantote: at all times}, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My children {tekna: beloved offspring}, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ {Christos, Indwelling Lord} may be formed in you.
20 I was wishing to be present {pareinai: physically there} with you now, and to change my voice {phone: tone of address}, because I am perplexed about you.
21 Speak to me, you who desire {thelo: strong wish} to be under the law {nomos: Torah instruction}, do you not hear the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: one from the slave woman {paidiske: female household servant} and one from the free woman {eleuthera: woman with legal freedom}.
23 But the one from the slave woman {paidiskes: female household servant} has been born according to the flesh, but the one from the free woman through a promise {epangelias: binding pledge}.
24 These things are being spoken allegorically, for these are two covenants {diathekai: binding arrangements}; one indeed is from Mount Sinai, giving birth into slavery {douleia: spiritual bondage}, which is Hagar.
25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem {Ierousalem: earthly city}, for she is in slavery with her children {teknon: natural descendants}.
26 But the Jerusalem above is free {eleuthera: unbound from slavery}; she is our mother {meter: spiritual progenitor}.
27 For it has been written, "Rejoice, barren woman {steira: unable to bear children}, you who do not give birth; break forth and cry aloud, you who do not labor, because many are the children of the desolate {eremou: seemingly forsaken}, more than of the one who has a husband."
28 Now you, brothers {adelphoi: fellow believers}, like Isaac, are children {tekna: covenant heirs} of promise.
29 But just as then, the one born according to the flesh was persecuting {dioko: hostile pursuit} the one born according to the Spirit {pneuma: divine life source}, so also it is now.
30 But what does the Scripture {graphe: sacred writing} say? “Cast out {ekbale: drive away} the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will certainly not inherit with the son of the free woman.”
31 Therefore, brothers {adelphoi: spiritual kin}, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman {eleuthera: Sarah’s freedom}.