Galatians 4-5
New King James Version
Sons and Heirs Through Christ
4 Now 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, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, (A)were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But (B)when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, (C)born[a] (D)of a woman, (E)born under the law, 5 (F)to redeem those who were under the law, (G)that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth (H)the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, [b]“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, (I)and if a son, then an heir [c]of God [d]through Christ.
Fears for the Church
8 But then, indeed, (J)when you did not know God, (K)you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now (L)after you have known God, or rather are known by God, (M)how is it that you turn again to (N)the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 (O)You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, (P)lest I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. (Q)You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that (R)because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me (S)as an [e]angel of God, (T)even as Christ Jesus. 15 [f]What 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. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
17 They (U)zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. 19 (V)My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
Two Covenants(W)
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: (X)the one by a bondwoman, (Y)the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman (Z)was born according to the flesh, (AA)and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are [g]the two covenants: the one from Mount (AB)Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the (AC)Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:
(AD)“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.”
28 Now (AE)we, brethren, as Isaac was, are (AF)children of promise. 29 But, as (AG)he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, (AH)even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does (AI)the Scripture say? (AJ)“Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for (AK)the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
Christian Liberty
5 (AL)Stand[h] fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a (AM)yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that (AN)if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised (AO)that he is [i]a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 (AP)You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; (AQ)you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly (AR)wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For (AS)in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but (AT)faith working through love.
Love Fulfills the Law
7 You (AU)ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 (AV)A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, (AW)why do I still suffer persecution? Then (AX)the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 (AY)I could wish that those (AZ)who trouble you would even [j]cut themselves off!
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only (BA)do not use liberty as an (BB)opportunity for the flesh, but (BC)through love serve one another. 14 For (BD)all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: (BE)“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Walking in the Spirit
16 I say then: (BF)Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For (BG)the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, (BH)so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But (BI)if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now (BJ)the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [k]adultery, [l]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [m]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that (BK)those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But (BL)the fruit of the Spirit is (BM)love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, (BN)goodness, (BO)faithfulness, 23 [n]gentleness, self-control. (BP)Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s (BQ)have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 (BR)If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 (BS)Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Footnotes
- Galatians 4:4 Or made
- Galatians 4:6 Lit., in Aram., Father
- Galatians 4:7 NU through God
- Galatians 4:7 NU omits through Christ
- Galatians 4:14 Or messenger
- Galatians 4:15 NU Where
- Galatians 4:24 NU, M omit the
- Galatians 5:1 NU For freedom Christ has made us free; stand fast therefore, and
- Galatians 5:3 obligated
- Galatians 5:12 mutilate themselves
- Galatians 5:19 NU omits adultery
- Galatians 5:19 sexual immorality
- Galatians 5:21 NU omits murders
- Galatians 5:23 meekness
Galatians 4-5
Holman Christian Standard Bible
4 1 Now I say that as long as the heir(A) is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner(B) of everything. 2 Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces[a] of the world.(C) 4 When the time came to completion, God sent His Son,(D) born of a woman,(E) born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.(F) 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son(G) into our[b] hearts, crying, “Abba,(H) Father!”(I) 7 So you are no longer a slave(J) but a son,(K) and if a son, then an heir(L) through God.
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
8 But in the past, when you didn’t know God,(M) you were enslaved to things[c] that by nature are not gods. 9 But now, since you know God,(N) or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt(O) elemental forces?(P) Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? 10 You observe special days, months, seasons, and years.(Q) 11 I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.
12 I beg you, brothers: Become like me, for I also became like you. You have not wronged me; 13 you know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a physical illness. 14 You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you.[d] On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.
15 What happened to this sense of being blessed you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?(R) 17 They[e] are enthusiastic about you, but not for any good. Instead, they want to isolate you so you will be enthusiastic about them. 18 Now it is always good to be enthusiastic about good—and not just when I am with you. 19 My children,(S) I am again suffering labor pains(T) for you until Christ is formed in you. 20 I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.
Sarah and Hagar: Two Covenants
21 Tell me, those of you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham(U) had two sons, one by a slave(V) and the other by a free woman. 23 But the one by the slave was born according to the impulse of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. 24 These things are illustrations,[f] for the women represent the two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai(W) and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar.(X) 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia(Y) and corresponds to the present Jerusalem,(Z) for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above(AA) is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written:(AB)
Rejoice, childless woman,(AC)
who does not give birth.
Burst into song and shout,
you who are not in labor,
for the children of the desolate are many,
more numerous than those
of the woman who has a husband.(AD)[g]
28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac,(AE) are children of promise.(AF) 29 But just as then the child born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit,(AG) so also now.(AH) 30 But what does the Scripture say?
Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.(AI)[h]
31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.(AJ)
Freedom of the Christian
5 Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm(AK) then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.(AL) 2 Take note! I, Paul, tell you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to keep the entire law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.(AM) 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait(AN) for the hope(AO) of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith(AP) working through love.(AQ)
7 You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?(AR) 8 This persuasion did not come from the One who called you.(AS) 9 A little yeast leavens the whole lump of dough. 10 I have confidence in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.(AT) 11 Now brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross(AU) has been abolished. 12 I wish those who are disturbing you might also get themselves castrated!
13 For you were called(AV) to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled(AW) in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.(AX)[i] 15 But if you bite and devour(AY) one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
The Spirit versus the Flesh
16 I say then, walk by the Spirit(AZ) and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires(BA) what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.(BB) 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious:[j][k] sexual immorality,(BC) moral impurity,(BD) promiscuity,(BE) 20 idolatry,(BF) sorcery,(BG) hatreds,(BH) strife,(BI) jealousy,(BJ) outbursts of anger,(BK) selfish ambitions,(BL) dissensions,(BM) factions,(BN) 21 envy,[l](BO) drunkenness, carousing,(BP) and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.(BQ)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit(BR) is love,(BS) joy,(BT) peace, patience,(BU) kindness,(BV) goodness, faith,[m] 23 gentleness,(BW) self-control.(BX) Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus(BY) have crucified the flesh(BZ) with its passions and desires.(CA) 25 Since we live(CB) by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. 26 We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.(CC)
Footnotes
- Galatians 4:3 Or spirits, or principles
- Galatians 4:6 Other mss read your
- Galatians 4:8 Or beings
- Galatians 4:14 Other mss read me
- Galatians 4:17 The false teachers
- Galatians 4:24 Typology or allegory
- Galatians 4:27 Is 54:1
- Galatians 4:30 Gn 21:10
- Galatians 5:14 Lv 19:18
- Galatians 5:19 Other mss add adultery
- Galatians 5:19 Lit obvious, which are:
- Galatians 5:21 Other mss add murders
- Galatians 5:22 Or faithfulness
Galatians 4-5
English Standard Version
Sons and Heirs
4 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave,[a] though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, (A)were enslaved to the elementary principles[b] of the world. 4 But (B)when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, (C)born (D)of woman, born (E)under the law, 5 (F)to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive (G)adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent (H)the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then (I)an heir through God.
Paul's Concern for the Galatians
8 Formerly, when you (J)did not know God, you (K)were enslaved to those that by nature (L)are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather (M)to be known by God, (N)how can you turn back again to (O)the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 (P)You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid (Q)I may have labored over you in vain.
12 Brothers,[c] (R)I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. (S)You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was (T)because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you (U)at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me (V)as an angel of God, (W)as Christ Jesus. 15 What 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. 16 Have I then become your enemy by (X)telling you the truth?[d] 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and (Y)not only when I am present with you, 19 (Z)my little children, (AA)for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ (AB)is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Example of Hagar and Sarah
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, (AC)one by a slave woman and (AD)one by a free woman. 23 But (AE)the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while (AF)the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two (AG)covenants. (AH)One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia;[e] she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But (AI)the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,
(AJ)“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.”
28 Now you,[f] brothers, (AK)like Isaac, (AL)are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh (AM)persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, (AN)so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? (AO)“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.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but (AP)of the free woman.
Christ Has Set Us Free
5 For (AQ)freedom Christ has (AR)set us free; (AS)stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to (AT)a yoke of (AU)slavery.
2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that (AV)if you accept circumcision, (AW)Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that (AX)he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are (AY)severed from Christ, (AZ)you who would be justified[g] by the law; (BA)you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly (BB)wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus (BC)neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but (BD)only faith working through love.
7 (BE)You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying (BF)the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from (BG)him who calls you. 9 (BH)A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 (BI)I have confidence in the Lord that you will (BJ)take no other view, and (BK)the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers,[h] still preach[i] circumcision, (BL)why am I still being persecuted? In that case (BM)the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish (BN)those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. (BO)Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love (BP)serve one another. 14 For (BQ)the whole law is fulfilled in one word: (BR)“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you (BS)bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Keep in Step with the Spirit
16 But I say, (BT)walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify (BU)the desires of the flesh. 17 For (BV)the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, (BW)to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are (BX)led by the Spirit, (BY)you are not under the law. 19 Now (BZ)the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, (CA)divisions, 21 envy,[j] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that (CB)those who do[k] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But (CC)the fruit of the Spirit is (CD)love, joy, peace, patience, (CE)kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 (CF)gentleness, (CG)self-control; (CH)against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (CI)have crucified the flesh with its (CJ)passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, (CK)let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 (CL)Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Footnotes
- Galatians 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verse 7
- Galatians 4:3 Or elemental spirits; also verse 9
- Galatians 4:12 Or Brothers and sisters; also verses 28, 31
- Galatians 4:16 Or by dealing truthfully with you
- Galatians 4:25 Some manuscripts For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia
- Galatians 4:28 Some manuscripts we
- Galatians 5:4 Or counted righteous
- Galatians 5:11 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 13
- Galatians 5:11 Greek proclaim
- Galatians 5:21 Some manuscripts add murder
- Galatians 5:21 Or make a practice of doing
Galatians 4-5
Young's Literal Translation
4 And I say, so long time as the heir is a babe, he differeth nothing from a servant -- being lord of all,
2 but is under tutors and stewards till the time appointed of the father,
3 so also we, when we were babes, under the elements of the world were in servitude,
4 and when the fulness of time did come, God sent forth His Son, come of a woman, come under law,
5 that those under law he may redeem, that the adoption of sons we may receive;
6 and because ye are sons, God did send forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, `Abba, Father!'
7 so that thou art no more a servant, but a son, and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.
8 But then, indeed, not having known God, ye were in servitude to those not by nature gods,
9 and now, having known God -- and rather being known by God -- how turn ye again unto the weak and poor elements to which anew ye desire to be in servitude?
10 days ye observe, and months, and times, and years!
11 I am afraid of you, lest in vain I did labour toward you.
12 Become as I [am] -- because I also [am] as ye brethren, I beseech you; to me ye did no hurt,
13 and ye have known that through infirmity of the flesh I did proclaim good news to you at the first,
14 and my trial that [is] in my flesh ye did not despise nor reject, but as a messenger of God ye did receive me -- as Christ Jesus;
15 what then was your happiness? for I testify to you, that if possible, your eyes having plucked out, ye would have given to me;
16 so that your enemy have I become, being true to you?
17 they are zealous for you -- [yet] not well, but they wish to shut us out, that for them ye may be zealous;
18 and [it is] good to be zealously regarded, in what is good, at all times, and not only in my being present with you;
19 my little children, of whom again I travail in birth, till Christ may be formed in you,
20 and I was wishing to be present with you now, and to change my voice, because I am in doubt about you.
21 Tell me, ye who are willing to be under law, the law do ye not hear?
22 for it hath been written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the maid-servant, and one by the free-woman,
23 but he who [is] of the maid-servant, according to flesh hath been, and he who [is] of the free-woman, through the promise;
24 which things are allegorized, for these are the two covenants: one, indeed, from mount Sinai, to servitude bringing forth, which is Hagar;
25 for this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and doth correspond to the Jerusalem that now [is], and is in servitude with her children,
26 and the Jerusalem above is the free-woman, which is mother of us all,
27 for it hath been written, `Rejoice, O barren, who art not bearing; break forth and cry, thou who art not travailing, because many [are] the children of the desolate -- more than of her having the husband.'
28 And we, brethren, as Isaac, are children of promise,
29 but as then he who was born according to the flesh did persecute him according to the spirit, so also now;
30 but what saith the Writing? `Cast forth the maid-servant and her son, for the son of the maid-servant may not be heir with the son of the free-woman;'
31 then, brethren, we are not a maid-servant's children, but the free-woman's.
5 In the freedom, then, with which Christ did make you free -- stand ye, and be not held fast again by a yoke of servitude;
2 lo, I Paul do say to you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing;
3 and I testify again to every man circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law;
4 ye were freed from the Christ, ye who in law are declared righteous; from the grace ye fell away;
5 for we by the Spirit, by faith, a hope of righteousness do wait for,
6 for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith through love working.
7 Ye were running well; who did hinder you -- not to obey the truth?
8 the obedience [is] not of him who is calling you!
9 a little leaven the whole lump doth leaven;
10 I have confidence in regard to you in the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded; and he who is troubling you shall bear the judgment, whoever he may be.
11 And I, brethren, if uncircumcision I yet preach, why yet am I persecuted? then hath the stumbling-block of the cross been done away;
12 O that even they would cut themselves off who are unsettling you!
13 For ye -- to freedom ye were called, brethren, only not the freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through the love serve ye one another,
14 for all the law in one word is fulfilled -- in this: `Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself;'
15 and if one another ye do bite and devour, see -- that ye may not by one another be consumed.
16 And I say: In the Spirit walk ye, and the desire of the flesh ye may not complete;
17 for the flesh doth desire contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit contrary to the flesh, and these are opposed one to another, that the things that ye may will -- these ye may not do;
18 and if by the Spirit ye are led, ye are not under law.
19 And manifest also are the works of the flesh, which are: Adultery, whoredom, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strifes, emulations, wraths, rivalries, dissensions, sects,
21 envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revellings, and such like, of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that those doing such things the reign of God shall not inherit.
22 And the fruit of the Spirit is: Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
23 meekness, temperance: against such there is no law;
24 and those who are Christ's, the flesh did crucify with the affections, and the desires;
25 if we may live in the Spirit, in the Spirit also we may walk;
26 let us not become vain-glorious -- one another provoking, one another envying!
Galatians 4-5
Darby Translation
4 Now I say, As long as the heir is a child, he differs nothing from a bondman, though he be lord of all;
2 but he is under guardians and stewards until the period fixed by the father.
3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the principles of the world;
4 but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, come of woman, come under law,
5 that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive sonship.
6 But because ye are sons, God has sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 So thou art no longer bondman, but son; but if son, heir also through God.
8 But then indeed, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods;
9 but now, knowing God, but rather being known by God, how do ye turn again to the weak and beggarly principles to which ye desire to be again anew in bondage?
10 Ye observe days and months and times and years.
11 I am afraid of you, lest indeed I have laboured in vain as to you.
12 Be as *I* [am], for *I* also [am] as *ye*, brethren, I beseech you: ye have not at all wronged me.
13 But ye know that in weakness of the flesh I announced the glad tidings to you at the first;
14 and my temptation, which [was] in my flesh, ye did not slight nor reject with contempt; but ye received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
15 What then [was] your blessedness? for I bear you witness that, if possible, plucking out your own eyes ye would have given [them] to me.
16 So I have become your enemy in speaking the truth to you?
17 They are not rightly zealous after you, but desire to shut you out [from us], that ye may be zealous after them.
18 But [it is] right to be zealous at all times in what is right, and not only when I am present with you—
19 my children, of whom I again travail in birth until Christ shall have been formed in you:
20 and I should wish to be present with you now, and change my voice, for I am perplexed as to you.
21 Tell me, ye who are desirous of being under law, do ye not listen to the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons; one of the maid servant, and one of the free woman.
23 But he [that was] of the maid servant was born according to flesh, and he [that was] of the free woman through the promise.
24 Which things have an allegorical sense; for these are two covenants: one from mount Sinai, gendering to bondage, which is Hagar.
25 For Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which [is] now, for she is in bondage with her children;
26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother.
27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break out and cry, thou that travailest not; because the children of the desolate are more numerous than [those] of her that has a husband.
28 But *ye*, brethren, after the pattern of Isaac, are children of promise.
29 But as then he that was born according to flesh persecuted him [that was born] according to Spirit, so also [it is] now.
30 But what says the scripture? Cast out the maid servant and her son; for the son of the maid servant shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.
31 So then, brethren, we are not maid servant's children, but [children] of the free woman.
5 Christ has set us free in freedom; stand fast therefore, and be not held again in a yoke of bondage.
2 Behold, I, Paul, say to you, that if ye are circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 And I witness again to every man [who is] circumcised, that he is debtor to do the whole law.
4 Ye are deprived of all profit from the Christ as separated [from him], as many as are justified by law; ye have fallen from grace.
5 For we, by [the] Spirit, on the principle of faith, await the hope of righteousness.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any force, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
7 Ye ran well; who has stopped you that ye should not obey the truth?
8 The persuasibleness [is] not of him that calls you.
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
10 *I* have confidence as to you in [the] Lord, that ye will have no other mind; and he that is troubling you shall bear the guilt [of it], whosoever he may be.
11 But *I*, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why am I yet persecuted? Then the scandal of the cross has been done away.
12 I would that they would even cut themselves off who throw you into confusion.
13 For *ye* have been called to liberty, brethren; only [do] not [turn] liberty into an opportunity to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself;
15 but if ye bite and devour one another, see that ye are not consumed one of another.
16 But I say, Walk in [the] Spirit, and ye shall no way fulfil flesh's lust.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these things are opposed one to the other, that ye should not do those things which ye desire;
18 but if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, disputes, schools of opinion,
21 envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revels, and things like these; as to which I tell you beforehand, even as I also have said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit God's kingdom.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, fidelity,
23 meekness, self-control: against such things there is no law.
24 But they that [are] of the Christ have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us walk also by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become vain-glorious, provoking one another, envying one another.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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