1I mean that as long as an heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, even though he owns everything.
2But he is under the care of guardians and managers until the time his father set.
3In the same way, when we were children, we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of the world.
4But when the right time finally came, God sent his Son, born to a woman and born under Jewish law,
5so that he could free those who were under the Jewish law and allow us to become God's children.
6And because you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, and the Spirit cries out, 'Abba, Father!'
7So you are no longer a slave, but a son. And since you are a son, God has made you an heir through Christ.
8However, at that time, you didn't know God, so you were slaves to beings that are not truly gods.
9But now that you have come to know God—or rather, to be known by God—why would you go back to those weak and worthless basic principles? Do you wish to be slaves to them all over again?
10You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years.
11I am worried about you, that my work for you might have been wasted.
12I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, just as I became like you. You didn't wrong me in any way.
13You know that it was because of a physical illness that I first preached the Good News to you.
14Even though my illness was a trial for you, you didn't look down on me or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, or even Christ Jesus himself.
15What happened to the blessedness you felt? I can tell you that, if it had been possible, you would have torn out your own eyes and given them to me.
16So, by telling you the truth, have I become your enemy?
17They try very hard to win you over, but it's not for your good. In fact, they want to isolate you so that you will follow them instead.
18It is always good to be enthusiastic for a good cause, not just when I am with you.
19My dear children, I am going through the pain of childbirth for you again until Christ is fully formed in you.
20I wish I could be with you right now and change my tone, because I don't know what to make of you.
21Tell me, you who want to live under the law, don't you understand what the Law says?
22The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant woman and one by the free woman.
23The son born from the servant woman was born by natural means, but the son from the free woman was born because of God's promise.
24These events are an allegory. These two women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and leads to slavery, which is Hagar.
25Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because Jerusalem and its people are in slavery.
26But the heavenly Jerusalem is free, and she is our mother.
27For the Scriptures say, "Rejoice, you barren woman who does not have children! Break out and shout, you who have never given birth! For the deserted woman will have more children than the one who has a husband."
28Now, brothers and sisters, we are children of the promise, just like Isaac was.
29But just as then, the son born by natural means persecuted the son born by the Spirit, so it is now.
30However, what do the Scriptures say? "Send away the servant woman and her son, because the son of the servant woman will never share in the inheritance with the son of the free woman."
31Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a servant woman, but of the free woman.