1I SAY that as long as the heir is under age he differs in nothing from a slave, though he be owner of all. 2But he is under guardians and managers until the day appointed by the father. 3So we, when we were under age, were enslaved under the elementary lessons of the world; 4but, when the fullness of time came, God sent forth his Son born of a woman, born under the Law, 5that he might redeem those who were under Law, that we might receive the recognition as sons. 6Because you are sons, God has sent into our hearts the Spirit of his Son crying Abba, Father. 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then also an heir, through God's act. 8At the time when you did not know God you were enslaved to what by nature are not gods. 9But now that you know God, or rather have been known by God, how are you turning back to the weak and beggarly elementary lessons to which you wish to be slaves again? 10You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11You make me afraid that I have labored over you uselessly. 12Become like me, brethren, I beg of you, for I became like you. You have not wronged me in anything. 13You know that because of weakness of the flesh I told you the good news at first. 14And you did not despise or spurn what was a trial to you in my bodily condition, but welcomed me as you would an angel of God, as you would Christ Jesus. 15Where now is the blessing you pronounced on me? For I bear you witness that if it had been possible you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth? 17They are paying court to you, but not honorably. No, they wish to shut you out, so that you may pay court to them. 18It is honorable to be courted in an honorable matter always, and not only when I am with you, 19my children, for whom I again am suffering birth pangs until Christ is formed in you. 20Would that I could be present with you now and could change my tone, for I am at a loss about you. 21Tell me, you who wish to be under law, do you not hear the Law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one born of the slave girl and one born of the free wife. 23But he who was born of the slave girl was born according to the flesh, while he who was born of the free wife was born by promise. 24This is an allegory. For these women are the two covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery. This is Hagar. 25Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia. She represents the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery along with her children. 26But the Jerusalem on high is free and she is our mother. 27For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one, you who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who feel no birth pangs! For many are the children of the desolate \'97 more than those of her who has a husband." 28But you, brethren, are, as Isaac was, children of promise. 29But just as then he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now. 30But what says the Scripture? "Cast out the slave girl and her son. For the son of the slave girl shall not inherit along with the son of the free wife." 31Therefore, brethren, we are not children of a slave girl, but of the free wife.