3. It is the same with us. When we were children, we were slaves to the basic things the people of the world believe.
4. But then the right time came. God sent his Son. A woman gave birth to him. He was born under the authority of the law.
5. He came to set free those who were under the law. He wanted us to be adopted as children with all the rights children have.
6. Because you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. He is the Holy Spirit. By his power we call God "[Abba.]" Abba means Father.
7. So you aren't slaves any longer. You are God's children. Because you are his children, he gives you what he promised to give his people.
8. At one time you didn't know God. You were slaves to gods that are really not gods at all.
9. But now you know God. Even better, God knows you. So why are you turning back to those weak and worthless beliefs? Do you want to be slaves to them all over again?
10. You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!
11. I am afraid for you. I am afraid that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
12. I make my appeal to you, brothers and sisters. I'm asking you to become like me. After all, I became like you. You didn't do anything wrong to me.
13. As you know, it was because I was sick that I first preached the good news to you.
14. My sickness was hard on you. But you didn't put me off. You didn't make fun of me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God. You welcomed me as if I were Christ Jesus himself.
15. What has happened to all of your joy? If you could have torn out your own eyes and given them to me, you would have. I can give witness to that.