Galatians 4

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
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.	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,
2 For he is under tutors and caretakers, until the time which was predetermined by the father.	2 but he is under the supervision of guardians and administrators until the date set by his father.
3 So also we, when we were children, were subservient to the influences of the world.	3 In the same way we also, when we were not of age, were enslaved to the elemental powers of the world.
4 But when the fullness of time arrived, God sent his Son, formed from a woman, formed under the law,	4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5 so that he might redeem those who were under the law, in order that we might receive the adoption of sons.	5 to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption.
6 Therefore, because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying out: “Abba, Father.”	6 As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"
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.	7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
8 But then, certainly, while ignorant of God, you served those who, by nature, are not gods.	8 At a time when you did not know God, you became slaves to things that by nature are not gods;
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?	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?
10 You serve the days, and months, and times, and years.	10 You are observing days, months, seasons, and years.
11 I am afraid for you, lest perhaps I may have labored in vain among you.	11 I am afraid on your account that perhaps I have labored for you in vain.
12 Brothers, I beg you. Be as I am. For I, too, am like you. You have not injured me at all.	12 I implore you, brothers, be as I am, because I have also become as you are. You did me no wrong;
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.	13 you know that it was because of a physical illness that I originally preached the gospel to you,
14 You did not despise or reject me. But instead, you accepted me like an Angel of God, even like Christ Jesus.	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.
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.	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.
16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?	16 So now have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 They are not imitating you well. And they are willing to exclude you, so that you might imitate them.	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.
18 But be imitators of what is good, always in a good way, and not only when I am present with you.	18 Now it is good to be shown interest for good reason at all times, and not only when I am with you.
19 My little sons, I am giving birth to you again, until Christ is formed in you.	19 My children, for whom I am again in labor until Christ be formed in you!
20 And I would willingly be present with you, even now. But I would alter my voice: for I am ashamed of you.	20 I would like to be with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed because of you.
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, have you not read the law?	21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: one by a servant woman, and one by a free woman.	22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman.
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.	23 The son of the slave woman was born naturally, the son of the freeborn through a promise.
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.	24 Now this is an allegory. These women represent two covenants. One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar.
25 For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia, which is related to the Jerusalem of the present time, and it serves with her sons.	25 Hagar represents Sinai, a mountain in Arabia; it corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery along with her children.
26 But that Jerusalem which is above is free; the same is our mother.	26 But the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother.
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.”	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."
28 Now we, brothers, like Isaac, are sons of the promise.	28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of the promise.
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.	29 But just as then the child of the flesh persecuted the child of the spirit, it is the same now.
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.”	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.
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.	31 Therefore, brothers, we are children not of the slave woman but of the freeborn woman.