English Revised Version

Galatians 4:3-22 English Revised Version (ERV)

3. So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world:

4. but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

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

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

7. So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

8. Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them which by nature are no gods:

9. but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known of God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?

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

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

12. I beseech you, brethren, be as I am, for I am as ye are. Ye did me no wrong:

13. but ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the first time:

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

15. Where then is that gratulation of yourselves? for I bear you witness, that, if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

16. So then am I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

17. They zealously seek you in no good way; nay, they desire to shut you out, that ye may seek them.

18. But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only when I am present with you.

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

20. yea, I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I am perplexed about you.

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

22. For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman.