Galatians 4 (NMV)
1 Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, even though he is the owner of everything.
2 Instead, he is under guardians and managers until the time set by his father.
3 In the same way, we also, when we were children, were enslaved under the rudimentary philosophies and systems of the world.
4 But when the fullness of time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
7 So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
8 But in the past, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those who by nature are not gods.
9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather, are known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless rudimentary philosophies and systems of the world? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?
10 You are carefully observing days, months, seasons, and years.
11 I am afraid for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.
12 I beg you, brothers and sisters: become like me, because I also became like you. You have done me no wrong.
13 You know that it was because of a physical weakness that I first preached the gospel to you,
14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.
15 What happened to your sense of blessing? For I testify that, if 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?
17 They are eager to win you over, but not for good. They want to isolate you from us so that you will be eager for them.
18 Now it is always good to be pursued for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you.
20 I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I don't know what to do about you.
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and one by the free woman.
23 But the one by the slave was born according to the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through the promise.
24 These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery, this is Hagar.
25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.
26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
27 For it is written: "Rejoice, childless woman, you who never gave birth; burst into song and shout, you who have never been in labor; because the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband."
28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.
29 But just as then the one born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so 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 will not share the inheritance with the son of the free woman."
31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.