I say that, for as much time as the heir is a child, he does not differ from a slave, being lord of everything, 2 but he is under overseers and managers until the fixed (day) of the father. 3 So also we, when we were children, were having been enslaved under the stoicheia of the world. 4 When the fulness of the time came, God sent out his Son, having been from a woman, having been under Law, 5 in order that he might redeem those under (the) Law, in order that we might receive the adoption-as-sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent out the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father.” 7 Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, also an heir through God.
8 But at that time not having known God you were enslaved to those not being by nature gods; 9 now, however, having known God—rather having been known by God—how do you turn again to the weak and poor stoicheia, to which again once more you want to be enslaved? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you lest somehow in vain I have laboured for you.
12 Become as me, for I also as you, brothers, I entreat you. You did not harm me. 13 You have known that through a weakness of the flesh I proclaimed-good-news to you formerly, 14 and you did not despise or spit out the testing of you in my flesh, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 Where then (is) your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, having dug out your eyes, you gave them to me— 16 so that I have become your enemy (by) speaking-truth to you? 17 They are not zealous for you well, but they want to exclude you, in order that you may be zealous for them. 18 (It is) always good to be the object of zeal for good, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My children, for whom again I suffer-birth-pains until Christ might be formed in you,[fn]For Christ to be “formed” in them is for them to “inherit” the future on the same terms as Christ—that is, through suffering. The Spirit provides evidence for this in the form of powerful works (Gal. 3:), but the purpose is that they will call out “Abba! Father” in their Gethsemane moments (cf. Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:15) and thus find the strength to endure suffering.[/fn] 20 I was wanting to be present with you now and to have changed my voice, for I am at a loss concerning you.
21 Tell me, those wishing to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it has been written that Abraham had two sons, one from the slave-girl and one from the free-woman. 23 But while the one from the slave-girl has been begotten according to flesh, the one from the free-woman through a promise, 24 which things are allegorised, for these (women) are two covenants: one (originating) from mount Sinai, begetting for slavery, which is Hagar. 25 The Hagar-Sinai mount is in Arabia; it corresponds to the now Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 The above Jerusalem is free, which is our mother; 27 for it has been written, Rejoice, barren one who does not give birth, burst out and cry, (you) who are not suffering-birth-pains; because the children of the desolate one (will be) more than of the one who has the husband.
28 You, brothers, according to Isaac are children of a promise. 29 But just as then the one begotten according to the flesh was persecuting the one according to the Spirit, so also now. 30 But what does the scripture say? “Throw out the slave-girl and her son; for the son of the slave-girl will not inherit with the son” of the free-woman. 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of a slave-girl but of the free-woman.
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