4 Now I say that as long as the heirr is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owners of everything. 2 Instead, he is under guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elementsC of the world.t 4 When the time came to completion, God sent his Son,u born of a woman,v born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.w 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Sonx into ourD hearts, crying, “Abba,E Father!”y 7 So you are no longer a slavez but a son,aa and if a son, then God has made you an heir.ab

PAUL’S CONCERN FOR THE GALATIANS

8 But in the past, since you didn’t know God,ac you were enslaved to thingsF that by nature are not gods. 9 But now, since you know God,ad or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthlessae elements?af Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? 10 You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years.ag 11 I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.

12 I beg you, brothers and sisters: Become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have not wronged me; 13 you know* that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a weakness of the flesh. 14 You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you.H On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.

15 Where, then, is your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So then, have I become your enemy because I told you the truth?ah 17 They court you eagerly, but not for good. They want to exclude you from me, so that you would pursue them. 18 But it is always good to be pursuedI in a good manner—and not just when I am with you. 19 My children,ai I am again suffering labor painsaj for you until Christ is formed in you. 20 I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.

SARAH AND HAGAR: TWO COVENANTS

21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abrahamak had two sons, one by a slaveal and the other by a free woman. 23 But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise. 24 These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinaiam and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar.an 25 Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabiaao and corresponds to the present Jerusalem,ap for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem aboveaq is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,ar

Rejoice, childless woman,as

unable to give birth.

Burst into song and shout,

you who are not in labor,

for the children of the desolate woman will be many,

more numerous than those

of the woman who has a husband.A,a

28 Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac,b are children of promise.c 29 But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit,d so also now.e 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.”B,f 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.g

FREEDOM OF THE CHRISTIAN

5 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firmh, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.i 2 Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.j 5 For we eagerly awaitk through the Spirit, by faith, the hopel of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faithm working through love.n

7 You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth?C,o 8 This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.p 9 A little leavenD leavens the whole batch of dough. 10 I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.q 11 Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the crossr has been abolished. 12 I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!

13 For you were calleds to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunityE for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14 For the whole law is fulfilledt in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.F,u 15 But if you bite and devourv one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

THE SPIRIT VERSUS THE FLESH

16 I say, then, walk by the Spiritw and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desiresx what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.y 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious:G sexual immorality,z moral impurity,aa promiscuity,ab 20 idolatry,ac sorcery,ad hatreds,ae strife,af jealousy,ag outbursts of anger,ah selfish ambitions,ai dissensions,aj factions,ak 21 envy,H,al drunkenness, carousing,am and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.an

22 But the fruit of the Spiritao is love,ap joy,aq peace, patience,ar kindness,as goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness,at and self-control.au The law is not against such things.I 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesusav have crucified the fleshaw with its passions and desires.ax 25 If we liveay by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.az

CARRY ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentleba spirit,J,bb watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.bc 2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.bd 3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing,be he deceives himself. 4 Let each person examine his own work,bf and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each person will have to carry his own load.

6 Let the one who is taught the word sharebg all his good things with the teacher. 7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirita will reap eternal lifeb from the Spirit. 9 Let us not get tiredc of doing good,d for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us worke for the goodf of all, especially for those who belong to the householdg of faith.h

CONCLUDING EXHORTATION

11 Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. 12 Those who want to make a good impression in the fleshi are the ones who would compel you to be circumcisedj—but only to avoid being persecutedk for the crossl of Christ. 13 For even the circumcised don’t keepm the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. 14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. 15 ForA both circumcision and uncircumcisionn mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation.o 16 May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israelp of God!B

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.q 18 Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.r Amen.