³ In the same way we also, when we were children, ^(A)were enslaved to the elementary principles^[a] of the world.

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive by ^(A)philosophy and ^(B)empty deceit, according to ^(C)human tradition, according to the ^(D)elemental spirits^[a] of the world, and not according to Christ.

⁹ But now that you have come to know God, or rather ^(A)to be known by God, ^(B)how can you turn back again to ^(C)the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

²⁰ If with Christ ^(A)you died to the ^(B)elemental spirits of the world, ^(C)why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—

^4 (A)Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who ^(B)slipped in to spy out ^(C)our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, ^(D)so that they might bring us into slavery—

³¹ So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but ^(A)of the free woman.

Christ Has Set Us Free

5 For ^(B)freedom Christ has ^(C)set us free; ^(D)stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to ^(E)a yoke of ^(F)slavery.

¹⁰ Now, therefore, why ^(A)are you putting God to the test ^(B)by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples ^(C)that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

¹⁵ For ^(A)you did not receive ^(B)the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of ^(C)adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ^(D)“Abba! Father!”

²⁵ Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia;^[a] she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.