Zechariah’s Song

⁶⁷ His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit^(A) and prophesied:^(B)

⁸⁰ And the child grew and became strong in spirit^[b];^(U) and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

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)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God,^(N) you were slaves^(O) to those who by nature are not gods.^{(P) 9} But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(Q)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[d]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(R) by them all over again?^{(S) 10} You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!^{(T) 11} I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.^(U)

¹² I plead with you, brothers and sisters,^(V) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness^(W) that I first preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴ and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.^{(X) 15} Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?^(Y)

¹⁷ Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.^{(Z) 18} It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.^{(AA) 19} My dear children,^(AB) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^{(AC) 20} how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!