Bible Book - INDEX

MODERN LITERAL VERSION - 2026 Update

4:1       But I am saying inasmuch time as the heir is an infant {Or: a minor. Same in 4:3} , he carries nothing of more-value-than that of a bondservant, though being lord of all,

4:2 but is under commissioners and stewards till the appointed-day of the father.

4:3 So also, when we were infants, and have been enslaved under the elemental principles of the world,

4:4 but when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born out-of a woman, born under the law,

4:5 in-order-that he might buy the ones up who were under the law in-order-that we might receive the sonship.

4:6 And because you^° are sons, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your^° hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

4:7 So-then you are no longer a bondservant, but a son, and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.      

4:8 But indeed back then, not knowing God, you^° were enslaved to the ones who are not by nature gods.

4:9 But now when you^° knew God, but rather you^° are known by God, how are you^° returning again over to the weak and poor elemental principles, in which things you^° again wish to be enslaved from the start?

4:10 You^° yourselves observe days and months and seasons and years.

4:11 I fear for you^°, lest somehow I have vainly labored to you^°.      

4:12 Brethren, I beseech of you^°, become like I am, because I have also become like you^° are. You^° wronged me in nothing;

4:13 but you^° know that I myself proclaimed the good-news to you^° beforehand because of a weakness of the flesh.

4:14 And you^° did not scorn, nor did you^° spurn my test, the one in my flesh, but you^° accepted me as a messenger of God, even as Christ Jesus.

4:15 Therefore, what was your^° good-fortune? For^* I testify of you^°, If possible, you^° would have given your^° eyes to me, after you^° shoveled {i.e., popped} them out.

4:16 So-then have I become your^° enemy, declaring the truth to you^°?

4:17 They are zealous for you^° in no good way. But they wish to lock you^° out from us in-order-that you^° may be zealous for them.

4:18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good thing and not only while^* I was present^* with you^°.

4:19 My little-children, of whom I am travailing again till which time Christ should be formed in you^°.

4:20 But I was wishing to be present^* with you^° now, and to change my voice, because I am perplexed at you^°.      

4:21 Tell^° me, the ones wishing to be under the law, are you^° not hearing the law?

4:22 For^* it has been written, Abraham had two sons, one from the maidservant and one from the free woman. {Gen 21:2-9}

4:23 But indeed the one from the maidservant has been born according-to the flesh, but the one from the free woman has been born through the promise.

4:24 Which things are allegorized {i.e., compared} , for^* these women are two covenants^*, indeed one from Mount Sinai, who is Hagar, giving-birth to children into bondage.

4:25 For^* Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the Jerusalem which is now and she is enslaved with her children.

4:26 But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which is mother of all of us.

4:27 For^* it has been written, ‘Barren one who is not bearing children, be joyous; burst forth and cry, the one who is not travailing, because many more are the children of the desolate rather than the one who has the husband.’ {Isa 54:1}

4:28 Now brethren, we are children of the promise according-to Isaac.

4:29 But just-like then, he who was born according-to the flesh was persecuting the one who was born according-to the Spirit, so it is also now.

4:30 But what does the Scripture say? Cast forth the maidservant and her son, for^* the son of the maidservant should never inherit with the son of the free woman. {Gen 21:10}

4:31 Consequently^*, brethren, we are not children of a maidservant, but of the free woman.