No Longer Slaves But Sons And Heirs

1 But I say that as long as the son is a child, he is in no way different from a servant, though he is lord of all;

1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a (a)child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is (b)owner of everything,

1 Now I say that as long as the heir(A) is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner(B) of everything.

1 Now what I am saying is this: As long as an heir is a child, he is no better off than a slave, even though he owns everything.

2 But is under keepers and managers till the time fixed by the father.

2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

2 but he is under guardians and (c)managers until the date set by the father.

2 Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father.

2 Instead, he is placed under the care of guardians and servant managers until the time set by the father.

3 So we, when we were young, were kept under the first rules of the world;

3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

3 So also we, while we were children, were held (A)in bondage under the (d)(B)elemental things of the world.

3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces(a) of the world.(C)

3 It was the same way with us. While we were children, we were slaves to the basic principles of the world.

4 But when the time had come, God sent out his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

4 But when (C)the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, (D)born of a woman, born (E)under (e)the Law,

4 When the time came to completion, God sent His Son,(D) born of a woman,(E) born under the law,

4 But when the appropriate time had come, God sent his Son, born by a woman, born under the Law,

5 That he might make them free who were under the law, and that we might be given the place of sons.

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

5 so that He might redeem those who were under (f)the Law, that we might receive the adoption as (F)sons.

5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.(F)

5 in order to redeem those who were under the Law, and thus to adopt them as his children.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, saying, Abba, Father.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

6 Because you are sons, (G)God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “(H)Abba! Father!”

6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son(G) into our(b) hearts, crying, “Abba,(H) Father!”(I)

6 Now because you are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts to cry out, "Abba! Father!"

7 So that you are no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, then the heritage of God is yours.

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and (I)if a son, then an heir (g)through God.

7 So you are no longer a slave(J) but a son,(K) and if a son, then an heir(L) through God.

7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if you are a child, then you are also an heir because of what God did.

Do Not Be Enslaved Again

8 But at that time, having no knowledge of God, you were servants to those who by right are no gods:

8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

8 However at that time, (J)when you did not know God, you were (K)slaves to (L)those which by nature are no gods.

8 But in the past, when you didn’t know God,(M) you were enslaved to things(c) that by nature are not gods.

8 However, in the past, when you did not know God, you were slaves to things that are not really gods at all.

9 But now that you have come to have knowledge of God, or more truly, God has knowledge of you, how is it that you go back again to the poor and feeble first things, desiring to be servants to them again?

9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be (M)known by God, (N)how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless (h)(O)elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?

9 But now, since you know God,(N) or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt(O) elemental forces?(P) Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?

9 But now that you know God, or rather have been known by God, how can you turn back again to those powerless and bankrupt basic principles? Why do you want to become their slaves all over again?

10 You keep days, and months, and fixed times, and years.

10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

10 You (P)observe days and months and seasons and years.

10 You observe special days, months, seasons, and years.(Q)

10 You are observing days, months, seasons, and years.

11 I am in fear of you, that I may have been working for you to no purpose.

11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored (i)over you in vain.

11 I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.

11 I am afraid for you! I don't want my work for you to have been wasted!

What Happened To Your Positive Attitude?

12 My desire for you, brothers, is that you may be as I am, because I am as you are. You have done me no wrong;

12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

12 I beg of you, (Q)brethren, (R)become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;

12 I beg you, brothers: Become like me, for I also became like you. You have not wronged me;

12 I beg you, brothers, to become like me, since I became like you. You did not do anything wrong to me.

Paul's Personal Appeal

13 But you have knowledge that with a feeble body I was preaching the good news to you the first time;

13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.

13 but you know that it was because of a (j)bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the (k)first time;

13 you know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a physical illness.

13 You know that it was because I was ill that I brought you the gospel the first time.

14 And you did not have a poor opinion of me because of the trouble in my flesh, or put shame on it; but you took me to your hearts as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

14 and that which was a (l)trial to you in my (m)bodily condition you did not despise or (n)loathe, but (S)you received me as an angel of God, as (T)Christ Jesus Himself.

14 You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you.(d) On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

14 Even though my condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. On the contrary, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, or as if I were the Messiah Jesus.

15 Where then is that happy condition of yours? because I give you witness, that, if possible, you would have taken out your eyes and given them to me.

15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

15 Where then is (o)that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

15 What happened to this sense of being blessed you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

15 What, then, happened to your positive attitude? For I testify that if it had been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

16 So then am I no longer your friend, because I give you true words?

16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

16 So have I become your enemy (U)by (p)telling you the truth?

16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?(R)

16 So have I now become your enemy for telling you the truth?

17 Their interest in you is not good; but their desire is that you may be shut out, so that you may go after them.

17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

17 They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.

17 They(e) are enthusiastic about you, but not for any good. Instead, they want to isolate you so you will be enthusiastic about them.

17 These people who have been instructing you are devoted to you, but not in a good way. They want you to avoid me so that you will be devoted to them.

18 But it is good to have an interest in a good cause at all times, and not only when I am present with you.

18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

18 But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable (q)manner, and (V)not only when I am present with you.

18 Now it is always good to be enthusiastic about good—and not just when I am with you.

18 (Now it is always good to be devoted to a good cause, even when I am not with you.)

19 My children, of whom I am again in birth-pains till Christ is formed in you,

19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

19 (W)My children, with whom (X)I am again in labor until (Y)Christ is formed in you—

19 My children,(S) I am again suffering labor pains(T) for you until Christ is formed in you.

19 My children, I am suffering birth pains for you again until the Messiah is formed in you.

20 Truly my desire is to be present with you now, using a changed voice; for I am troubled about you.

20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for (Z)I am perplexed about 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.

20 Indeed, I wish I were with you right now so that I could change the tone of my voice, because I am completely baffled by you!

Hagar And Sarah Represent Two Covenants

21 Say, you whose desire it is to be under the law, do you not give ear to the law?

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

21 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not (AA)listen to the law?

21 Tell me, those of you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law?

21 Tell me, those of you who want to live under the Law: Are you really listening to what the Law says?

22 Because it is in the Writings, that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant-woman, and one by the free woman.

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, (AB)one by the bondwoman and (AC)one by the free woman.

22 For it is written that Abraham(U) had two sons, one by a slave(V) and the other by a free woman.

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

23 Now the son by the servant-woman has his birth after the flesh; but the son by the free woman has his birth through the undertaking of God.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

23 But (AD)the son by the bondwoman (r)was born according to the flesh, and (AE)the son by the free woman through the promise.

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

23 Now the slave woman's son was conceived through human means, while the free woman's son was conceived through divine promise.

24 Which things have a secret sense; because these women are the two agreements; one from the mountain of Sinai, giving birth to servants, which is Hagar.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

24 (s)(AF)This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from (AG)Mount Sinai bearing children (t)who are to be (AH)slaves; (u)she is Hagar.

24 These things are illustrations,(f) for the women represent the two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai(W) and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar.(X)

24 This is being said as an allegory, for these women represent two covenants. The one woman, Hagar, is from Mount Sinai, and her children are born into slavery.

25 Now this Hagar is the mountain Sinai in Arabia, and is the image of the Jerusalem which now is: which is a servant with her children.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

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

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

25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery along with her children.

26 But the Jerusalem on high is free, which is our mother.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

26 But (AI)the Jerusalem above is free; (v)she is our mother.

26 But the Jerusalem above(AA) is free, and she is our mother.

26 But the heavenly Jerusalem is the free woman, and she is our spiritual mother.

27 For it is in the Writings, You who have never given birth, be glad; give cries of joy, you who have had no birth-pains; for the children of her who has been given up by her husband are more than those of the woman who has a husband.

27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

27 For it is written,(AJ)Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear;Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor;For more numerous are the children of the desolateThan of the one who has a husband.”

27 For it is written:(AB)Rejoice, childless woman,(AC)who does not give birth.Burst into song and shout,you who are not in labor,for the children of the desolate are many,more numerous than thoseof the woman who has a husband.(AD)(g)

27 For it is written, "Rejoice, you childless woman, who cannot give birth to any children! Break into song and shout, you who feel no pains of childbirth! For the children of the deserted woman are more numerous than the children of the woman who has a husband."

28 Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are the children of the undertaking of God.

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

28 And you brethren, (AK)like Isaac, are (AL)children of promise.

28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac,(AE) are children of promise.(AF)

28 So you, brothers, are children of the promise, like Isaac.

29 But as in those days he who had birth after the flesh was cruel to him who had birth after the Spirit, even so it is now.

29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

29 But as at that time (AM)he who was born according to the flesh (AN)persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, (AO)so it is now also.

29 But just as then the child born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit,(AG) so also now.(AH)

29 But just as then the son who was conceived according to the flesh persecuted the son who was conceived according to the Spirit, so it is now.

30 What then do the Writings say? Send away the servant-woman and her son; for the son of the servant-woman will not have a part in the heritage with the son of the free woman.

30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

30 But what does the Scripture say?(AP)Cast out the bondwoman and her son,For (AQ)the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.”

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.(AI)(h)

30 But what does the Scripture say? "Drive out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman must never share the inheritance with the son of the free woman."

31 So, brothers, we are not children of the servant-woman, but of the free woman.

31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

31 So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, (w)but of the free woman.

31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.(AJ)

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

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain

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