¹⁹ “For through the law I died to the law^(A) so that I might live for God.^{(B) 20} I have been crucified with Christ^(C) and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.^(D) The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,^(E) who loved me^(F) and gave himself for me.^{(G) 21} I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law,^(H) Christ died for nothing!”^[a]

²¹ Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!^(A) For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.^{(B) 22} But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin,^(C) so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Children of God

²³ Before the coming of this faith,^[a] we were held in custody^(D) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.^{(E) 24} So the law was our guardian until Christ came^(F) that we might be justified by faith.^{(G) 25} Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.^(H)

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God^(I) through faith,

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery^(A) under the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of the world.^{(B) 4} But when the set time had fully come,^(C) God sent his Son,^(D) born of a woman,^(E) born under the law,^{(F) 5} to redeem^(G) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(H) to sonship.^{[b](I) 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(J) into our hearts,^(K) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[c] Father.”^{(L) 7} So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.^(M)