1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything.
2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.
3So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.
4But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.
6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.
8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.
9But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!
11I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain.
12I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.
13You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.
14And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself.
15What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.
18Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose — at any time, and not only when I am with you.
19My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.
— Galatians 4:1-20

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