Modern Literal Version
[Galatians 4]

     ^4:1 But I am saying inasmuch time as the heir is an infant, he carries nothing of more-value-than that of a bondservant, though being lord of all; ^4:2 but is under commissioners and stewards till the appointed-day of the father. ^4:3 So also, when we were infants, having been enslaved under the elemental 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 in order that he might buy those up who were under the law, in order 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-then 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 the ones who by nature are not gods. ^4:9 But now having known God, but rather having been known by God, how are you^*returning again to the weak and poor elemental principles? Do you^* again wish to be enslaved to these anew? ^4:10 You^* yourselves 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^* wronged me in nothing; ^4:13 but you^* know that I myself proclaimed the good-news to you^*beforehand because of a weakness of the flesh. ^4:14 And you^* did not scorn, nor did you^* spurn my test, which was in my flesh; but you^* accepted me as a messenger of God, even as Christ Jesus.^4:15 Therefore what was 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, declaring the truth to you^*? ^4:17 They are zealous for you^*in no good way. But they wish to lock you^* out from us, in order that you^* may be zealous for them. ^4:18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good thing and not only while^* I was present^* with you^*. ^4:19 My little-children, of whom I am in travail again till when Christ should be formed in you^*again. ^4:20 But I was wishing to be present^* with you^* now, and to change my voice, because I am perplexed at you^*.

     ^4:21 Tell^* me, you^* who wish to be under the law, are you^* not hearing the law? ^4:22 For^* it has been written, that Abraham had two sons, one from the maidservant and one from the freewoman. {Gen 21:2-9}^4:23 But indeed the one from the maidservant has been born according to the flesh, but the one from the free woman has been born through the promise. ^4:24 Which things are allegorized; for^* these women are two covenants^*; indeed one from Mount Sinai, who is Hagar, giving-birth to children into bondage. ^4:25 For^* this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the Jerusalem which is now and she is enslaved with her children. ^4:26 But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of all of us. ^4:27 For^* it has been written, 'Barren one who is not bearing children, be joyous; burst forth and cry, the one who is not travailing, because many more are the children of the desolate rather than from her who has the husband.' {Isa 54:1}^4:28 Now brethren, we are children of the promise according to Isaac. ^4:29 But just-like then, he who was born according to the flesh was persecuting the one who was bornaccording 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 should never inherit with the son of the free woman.{Gen 21:10}^4:31 Consequently^*, brethren, we are not children of a maidservant, but of the free woman.

Modern Literal Version Preface & Appendix , copyright 1987, 1999, 2013 by G. Allen Walker for the MLV New Testament Committee.
Would you like to have the Modern Literal Version the World's most accurate translation on your web site? Visit ' The Christian Library' for more info.