Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

⁸ The child grew and was weaned,^(A) and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. ⁹ But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham^(B) was mocking,^{(C) 10} and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman^(D) and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”^(E)

¹¹ The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son.^{(F) 12} But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring^[a] will be reckoned.^{(G) 13} I will make the son of the slave into a nation^(H) also, because he is your offspring.”

¹⁴ Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar.^(I) He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba.^(J)

¹⁵ When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. ¹⁶ Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she^[b] began to sob.^(K)

¹⁷ God heard the boy crying,^(L) and the angel of God^(M) called to Hagar from heaven^(N) and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid;^(O) God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. ¹⁸ Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.^(P)”

¹⁹ Then God opened her eyes^(Q) and she saw a well of water.^(R) So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

²⁰ God was with the boy^(S) as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. ²¹ While he was living in the Desert of Paran,^(T) his mother got a wife for him^(U) from Egypt.

⁴ He slept with Hagar,^(A) and she conceived.

When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.^(B)

²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman^(A) and the other by the free woman.^{(B) 23} His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh,^(C) but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.^(D)

²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above^(E) is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:

²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.^{(G) 29} At that time the son born according to the flesh^(H) persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit.^(I) It is the same now. ³⁰ But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”^{[b](J) 31} Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman,^(K) but of the free woman.^(L)

Ishmael’s Sons^(A)

¹² This is the account^(B) of the family line of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Sarah’s slave, Hagar^(C) the Egyptian, bore to Abraham.^(D)

¹³ These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth^(E) the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar,^(F) Adbeel, Mibsam, ¹⁴ Mishma, Dumah,^(G) Massa, ¹⁵ Hadad, Tema,^(H) Jetur,^(I) Naphish and Kedemah. ¹⁶ These were the sons of Ishmael, and these are the names of the twelve tribal rulers^(J) according to their settlements and camps.^{(K) 17} Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and he was gathered to his people.^{(L) 18} His descendants^(M) settled in the area from Havilah to Shur,^(N) near the eastern border of Egypt, as you go toward Ashur. And they lived in hostility toward^[a] all the tribes related to them.^(O)

²³ For you have been born again,^(A) not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,^(B) through the living and enduring word of God.^{(C) 24} For,

And this is the word that was preached to you.

¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.^(A) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[a] you want.^(B)

¹¹ In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin^(A) but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh^(A) with its passions and desires.^(B)

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God^(A) are the children of God.^(B)