1. Now I say That the heir, as long as he is a child differs in nothing from a slave, though he be lord of all,
2. but is under the hand of tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3. Even so we, when we were children, were in slavery under the elements of the world,
4. but when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5. to redeem those that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6. And because ye are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father;
7. therefore, thou art no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
8. However then, when ye did not know God, ye did service unto those who by nature are not gods.
9. But now, having known God, or rather being known of God, how do ye turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, in which ye desire again to be in slavery?
10. Ye observe days and months and times and years.
11. I am afraid for you, lest I have bestowed labour upon you in vain.
12. Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are; ye have not injured me at all.
13. Ye know how through weakness of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
14. And my affliction which was in my flesh ye did not despise, nor reject but ye received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15. Where is then the blessedness ye spoke of? for I bear you record that if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes and have given them to me.
16. Am I, therefore, become your enemy because I tell you the truth?