Galatians 4

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 I mean that as long as the heir is not of age, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything,	1 But I say that, during the time an heir is a child, he is no different from a servant, even though he is the owner of everything.
2 but he is under the supervision of guardians and administrators until the date set by his father.	2 For he is under tutors and caretakers, until the time which was predetermined by the father.
3 In the same way we also, when we were not of age, were enslaved to the elemental powers of the world.	3 So also we, when we were children, were subservient to the influences of the world.
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,	4 But when the fullness of time arrived, God sent his Son, formed from a woman, formed under the law,
5 to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption.	5 so that he might redeem those who were under the law, in order that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"	6 Therefore, because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying out: “Abba, Father.”
7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.	7 And so now he is not a servant, but a son. But if he is a son, then he is also an heir, through God.
8 At a time when you did not know God, you became slaves to things that by nature are not gods;	8 But then, certainly, while ignorant of God, you served those who, by nature, are not gods.
9 but now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and destitute elemental powers? Do you want to be slaves to them all over again?	9 But now, since you have known God, or rather, since you have been known by God: how can you turn away again, to weak and destitute influences, which you desire to serve anew?
10 You are observing days, months, seasons, and years.	10 You serve the days, and months, and times, and years.
11 I am afraid on your account that perhaps I have labored for you in vain.	11 I am afraid for you, lest perhaps I may have labored in vain among you.
12 I implore you, brothers, be as I am, because I have also become as you are. You did me no wrong;	12 Brothers, I beg you. Be as I am. For I, too, am like you. You have not injured me at all.
13 you know that it was because of a physical illness that I originally preached the gospel to you,	13 But you know that, in the weakness of the flesh, I have preached the Gospel to you for a long time, and that your trials are in my flesh.
14 and you did not show disdain or contempt because of the trial caused you by my physical condition, but rather you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.	14 You did not despise or reject me. But instead, you accepted me like an Angel of God, even like Christ Jesus.
15 Where now is that blessedness of yours? Indeed, I can testify to you that, if it had been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.	15 Therefore, where is your happiness? For I offer to you testimony that, if it could be done, you would have plucked out your own eyes and would have given them to me.
16 So now have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?	16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 They show interest in you, but not in a good way; they want to isolate you, so that you may show interest in them.	17 They are not imitating you well. And they are willing to exclude you, so that you might imitate them.
18 Now it is good to be shown interest for good reason at all times, and not only when I am with you.	18 But be imitators of what is good, always in a good way, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My children, for whom I am again in labor until Christ be formed in you!	19 My little sons, I am giving birth to you again, until Christ is formed in you.
20 I would like to be with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed because of you.	20 And I would willingly be present with you, even now. But I would alter my voice: for I am ashamed of you.
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?	21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, have you not read the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman.	22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: one by a servant woman, and one by a free woman.
23 The son of the slave woman was born naturally, the son of the freeborn through a promise.	23 And he who was of the servant was born according to the flesh. But he who was of the free woman was born by the promise.
24 Now this is an allegory. These women represent two covenants. One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar.	24 These things are said through an allegory. For these represent the two testaments. Certainly the one, on Mount Sinai, gives birth unto servitude, which is Hagar.
25 Hagar represents Sinai, a mountain in Arabia; it corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery along with her children.	25 For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia, which is related to the Jerusalem of the present time, and it serves with her sons.
26 But the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother.	26 But that Jerusalem which is above is free; the same is our mother.
27 For it is written: "Rejoice, you barren one who bore no children; break forth and shout, you who were not in labor; for more numerous are the children of the deserted one than of her who has a husband."	27 For it was written: “Rejoice, O barren one, though you do not conceive. Burst forth and cry out, though you do not give birth. For many are the children of the desolate, even more than of her who has a husband.”
28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of the promise.	28 Now we, brothers, like Isaac, are sons of the promise.
29 But just as then the child of the flesh persecuted the child of the spirit, it is the same now.	29 But just as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
30 But what does the scripture say? "Drive out the slave woman and her son! For the son of the slave woman shall not share the inheritance with the son" of the freeborn.	30 And what does Scripture say? “Cast out the woman servant and her son. For the son of a servant women shall not be an heir with the son of a free woman.”
31 Therefore, brothers, we are children not of the slave woman but of the freeborn woman.	31 And so, brothers, we are not the sons of the servant woman, but rather of the free woman. And this is the freedom with which Christ has set us free.