1
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Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all,
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2
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But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father.
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3
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So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world.
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4
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But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:
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5
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That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.
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6
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And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father.
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7
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Therefore, now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.
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8
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But then indeed, not knowing God, you served them who, by nature, are not gods.
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9
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But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known by God: how turn you again to the weak and needy elements which you desire to serve again?
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10
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You observe days and months and times, and years.
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11
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I am afraid of you, lest perhaps I have laboured in vain among you.
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12
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Be ye as I, because I also am as you brethren, I beseech you. You have not injured me at all.
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13
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And you know how, through infirmity of the flesh, I preached the gospel to you heretofore: and your temptation in my flesh
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14
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You despised not, nor rejected: but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
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15
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Where is then your blessedness? For I bear you witness that, if it could be done, you would have plucked out your own eyes and would have given them to me.
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16
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Am I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
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17
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They are zealous in your regard not well: but they would exclude you, that you might be zealous for them.
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18
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But be zealous for that which is good in a good thing always: and not only when I am present with you.
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19
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My little children, of whom I am in labour again, until Christ be formed in you.
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20
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And I would willingly be present with you now and change my voice: because I am ashamed for you.
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21
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Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, have you not read the law?
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22
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For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman and the other by a free woman.
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23
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But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh: but he of the free woman was by promise.
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24
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Which things are said by an allegory. For these are the two testaments. The one from Mount Sina, engendering unto bondage, which is Agar.
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25
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For Sina is a mountain in Arabia, which hath affinity to that Jerusalem which now is: and is in bondage with her children.
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26
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But that Jerusalem which is above is free: which is our mother.
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27
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For it is written: Rejoice, thou barren, that bearest not: break forth and cry thou that travailest not: for many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that hath a husband.
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28
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Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
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29
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But as then he that was born according to the flesh persecuted him that was after the spirit: so also it is now.
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30
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But what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.
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31
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So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman but of the free: by the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.
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