MODERN LITERAL VERSION

4:1 But I say inasmuch time as the heir is an infant, he carries nothing of more-value than that of a bondservant, though he is lord of all;
4:2 but is under guardians and stewards till the appointed-day of the father.
4:3 So, when we were infants, we were also enslaved under the fundamental principles of the world.
4:4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born out of a woman, born under the law,
4:5 that* he might buy those up who were under the law, that* we might receive the sonship .
4:6 And because you* are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
4:7 So-that you are no longer a bondservant, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

4:8 But indeed back then, not knowing God, you* were enslaved to those who by nature are not gods.
4:9 But now, having known God or rather being known by God, how are you* turning back again to the weak and poor fundamental principles? Do you* again wish to be enslaved to these anew?
4:10 You* observe days and months and seasons and years.
4:11 I fear for you*, lest somehow I have vainly labored toward you*.

4:12 Brethren, I beseech of you*, become like I am, because I have also become like you* are. You* did not wrong me;
4:13 but you* know that I proclaimed the good-news to you* beforehand because of a weakness of the flesh.
4:14 And my test, which was in my flesh; you* did not scorn, nor spurn but you* accepted me as a messenger of God, even as Christ Jesus.
4:15 Then* what is your good-fortune? For* I testify of you*, that, if possible, you* would have given your* eyes to me, having popped them out.
4:16 So-then have I become your* enemy, telling the truth to you*?
4:17 They are zealous for you* in no good way. But they wish to lock you* out from us, that* you* may be zealous for them.
4:18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good thing and not only when I am present* with you*.
4:19 My little children, of whom I am in travail again till whenever Christ has been formed in you*.
4:20 But I wishing to be present* with you* now and to change my voice, because I am perplexed by you*.

4:21 Tell me, you* who wish to be under the law, do you* not hear the law?
4:22 For* it has been written, that Abraham had two sons, one from the maidservant and one from the free woman.
4:23 But indeed the son from the maidservant is born according to the flesh, but the son from the free woman is born through the promise.
4:24 Which things are allegorized; for* these women are two covenants*; indeed one from Mount Sinai, which is Hagar, giving-birth to children into bondage.
4:25 For* this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the Jerusalem that is now and she is enslaved with her children.
4:26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of all of us.
4:27 For* it has been written, ‘O barren who is not bearing children, be joyous; burst forth and cry, you who is not travail, because more are the children of the desolate rather than from her who has the husband.' {Is. 54:1}
4:28 Now brethren, we are children of the promise according to Isaac.
4:29 But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is also now.
4:30 But what does the Scripture say? Cast out the maidservant and her son; for* the son of the maidservant may never* inherit with the son of the free woman.
4:31 Consequently, brethren, we are not children of a maidservant, but of the free woman.