²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,^(A) groan^(B) inwardly as we wait eagerly^(C) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.^(D)

⁵ to redeem^(A) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(B) to sonship.^{[a](C) 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(D) into our hearts,^(E) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[b] Father.”^{(F) 7} So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.^(G)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God,^(H) you were slaves^(I) to those who by nature are not gods.^{(J) 9} But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(K)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[c]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(L) by them all over again?^{(M) 10} You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!^{(N) 11} I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.^(O)

¹² I plead with you, brothers and sisters,^(P) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness^(Q) that I first preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴ and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.^{(R) 15} Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?^(S)

¹⁷ Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.^{(T) 18} It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.^{(U) 19} My dear children,^(V) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^{(W) 20} how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Hagar and Sarah

²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under the law,^(X) are you not aware of what the law says? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman^(Y) and the other by the free woman.^{(Z) 23} His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh,^(AA) but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.^(AB)

²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above^(AC) is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:

²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.^{(AE) 29} At that time the son born according to the flesh^(AF) persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit.^(AG) It is the same now. ³⁰ But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”^{[e](AH) 31} Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman,^(AI) but of the free woman.^(AJ)