1Now, I say, as long as the heir is a minor, he differs nothing from a bondman, though he be lord of all. 2For he is under tutors and stewards, until the time before appointed by his father. 3So, also, we, whilst we were minors, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7So that you are no more a bondman, but a son, and if a son, then heir of God through Christ. 8But formerly indeed, when you knew not God, you served those, who by nature were not gods. 9But now, having acknowledged God, (or rather, being acknowledged by God,) why do you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which again, a second time, you incline to be in bondage? 10You carefully observe days and moons, and seasons and years. 11I am afraid of you, lest perhaps, I have labored in vain among you. 12Brethren, I pray you, be as I am: for I am you are. You have injured me in nothing. 13You know, indeed, that in weakness of the flesh, I declared the gospel to you at first. 14Yet that trial of mine, which was in my flesh, you did not despise; neither did you reject me, but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15What, then, was your happiness! for I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes, and given them to me. 16Am I, then, become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 17They love you ardently, not honorably. Yes, they wish to exclude us, that you may love them ardently. 18But it is honorable to be ardently in love with a good man at all times, and not merely when I am present with you. 19My little children, for whom I travail in birth again till Christ be formed in you; 20I could wish, indeed, to be present with you now, and to change my speech; for I am exceedingly in doubt concerning you. 21Tell me, you who wish to be under the law, do you hear the law? 22For it is written, that Abraham had two sons: one by the bondmaid, and one by the free woman. 23But he, indeed, who was of the bondmaid, was begotten according to the flesh; but he who was of the free woman, was through the promise. 24Which things are allegorized: for these women are two institutions; the one, indeed, from Mount Sinai, bringing forth children into bondage, which is Hagar, 25(for the name of Hagar denotes Mount Sinai, in Arabia,) and she answers to the present Jerusalem, and is in bondage with her children. 26But the Jerusalem above, is the free woman, who is our mother. 27«For it is written,» 'Rejoice, O barren woman, who didst not bring forth! Break out and cry, thou who travailest not in birth; for more are the children of the deserted, than of her who had the husband.' 28We, therefore, brethren, like Isaac, are children by promise. 29But even as then, he who was begotten according to the flesh, persecuted him who was begotten according to the Spirit: so also now. 30«But what says the scripture?» 'Cast out the bondmaid and her son; for the son of the bondmaid shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.' 31Well, then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondmaid, but of the free woman.