Galatians 4

Now I say, as long as the heir is a minor, he does not differ from a slave, although he is lord of everything,

but is under guardians and managers until the time appointed by the father.

So we also, when we were minors, were enslaved by the elemental spirits of the world,

but when the fullness of the time came, God sent his Son, born from a woman, born under the law,

in order to redeem those who were under the law so that we could receive adoption as sons.

And because you are sons, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!”

So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through what God has done.

But in the past, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those that by nature are not gods.

However, now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you are turning back again to the weak and worthless elemental spirits? Do you want to be slaves to them all over again?

You observe days, and months, and seasons, and years.

I am afraid for you, lest perhaps I have labored over you in vain.

I implore you, brothers and sisters, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong.

But, you know that it was because of a physical illness I told you the good news the first time,

and that which was a temptation to you in my bodily condition you did not treat with contempt or disdain, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus himself.

Where then is the sense of blessing you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

They earnestly pursue you, but not for anything good. They want to cut you off from us, so that you will earnestly pursue them.

But it is always good to be earnestly pursued for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you.

My children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you—

I would like to be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not hear what the law says?

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and one by the free woman.

But the son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born as a result of the promise.

These women are now being treated as an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children into slavery, which is Hagar.

Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.

But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother.

For it is written, Rejoice, barren one who does not bear; break out and shout, you who are not in labor; for the children of the desolate woman are more than of the one who has the husband.

Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.

But just like back then, when the one who was born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the spirit, so also it is now.

But what does the Scripture say? Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the son of the free woman.

So then, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.