forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

*

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? 19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

13 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: 3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in

you.

4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

R.V.

1 Or,

stake

forbear, lest any man. should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth 7 from me. And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations-wherefore, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a mes. senger of Satan to buffet me, that I should 8 not be exalted overmuch. Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it 9 might depart from me. And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the strength of Christ may 102 rest upon me. Wherefore I take pleasure 2 Or. in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

11

I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest 12 apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and 13 mighty works. For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.

14

Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the pa 15 rents, but the parents for the children. And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, 16 am I loved the less? But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught 17 you with guile. Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto 18 you? I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not by the same Spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

19

6 Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for 20 your edifying. For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed.

7

13 This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall

cover me Gr. spread a tabernacle over me. 3 Or, those preemi

nent

apostles 4 Gr. powers.

5 Gr. spent out.

Or. Think ye ... you?

7 Or, disorders

2 every word be established. I have said beforehand, and I do say 8 beforehand, as when plainly I was present the second time, so now, being? Or, as absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I 3 will not spare; seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward 4 is not weak, but is powerful in you: for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak 10 in him, but we shall live with him 5 through the power of God toward yon. Try your own selves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate. 6 But I hope that ye shall know that we are 7 not reprobate. Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honourable, 11 though we be as reprobate. Į that.

10 Many ancient authorities read with.

11 Gr. and

8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, eren your perfection. 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 12 Greet one another with an holy kiss. 13 All the saints salute you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.

8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but 9 for the truth. For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray 10 for, even your perfecting. For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace and the God of love and peace shall 12 be with you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.

13

14

All the saints salute you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.

1 PAUL, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his

1

PAUL, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the 2 dead), and all the brethren which are with 3 me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace 2 from God the Father, and 4 our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil 3 world, according to the will of 5 our God and Father: to whom be the glory 4 for ever and ever. Amen.

6 I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ 7 unto a different gospel; which is not another gospel only there are some that trouble you, 8 and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach 5 unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be ana9 thema. As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let 10 him be anathema. For am I now persuading men, or God? or am I seeking to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a7servant of Christ.

11

For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by 12 me, that it is not after man. For neither did I receive it from 1man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus 13 Christ. For ye have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church 14 of God, and made havock of it: and I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my 15 fathers. But when it was the good pleasure

of God, who separated me, eren from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, 16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; immediately I con17 ferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ:

23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

24 And they glorified God in me.

2 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles :)

9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing

them which were of the circumcision.

13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

3 Or. in the course of

5 Or,

but it

was because of

23 of Judæa which were in Christ: but they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made 24 havock; and they glorified God in me. 2 Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, 2 taking Titus also with me. And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before them who were of repute, lest Or, are by any means I should be running, or had 3 run, in vain. But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be 4 circumcised: 5 and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into 5 bondage: to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6 But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth not man's person)-they, I say, who were of repute imparted 7 nothing to me: but contrariwise, when they saw that I had been intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the 8 gospel of the circumcision (for he that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision wrought for me also unto the Gentiles); 9 and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and 10 they unto the circumcision; only they would that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do.

11

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, 13 And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise fearing them that were of the circumcision.

with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was 14 carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Cephas before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, how compellest thou the Gentiles 15 to live as do the Jews? We being Jews by 16 nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, 2 save through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we sought to be justified in

Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.

6 Or. what

they

once

were

7 Or, works of law

A. V.

|| Or, so great.

|| Or, imputed.

Gen.

12.3.

Deut. 27. 26.

* Hab. 2. 4.

Rom. 1. 17.

* Lev. 18. 5.

* Deut. 21. 23.

[1611 on tree]

19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

3 0 foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, *In thee shall all nations be blessed.

9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

*

12 And the law is not of faith: but, * The man that doeth them shall live in them.

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, * Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Or, tes- Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

tament.

17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was or dained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

R.V.

2 Or, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ dc.

3 Or,

I works

19 For I through the law died unto the law, 20 that I might live unto God. I have been crucified with Christ; 2yet I live; and yet no longer 1 Or, law I, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, 21 and gave himself up for me. I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought. 3 O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set 2 forth crucified? This only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of 3 the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are 4 ye now perfected in the flesh? Did ye suffer so many things in vain? if it be indeed in 5 vain. He therefore that supplieth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by 3 the. works of the law, or by the 64 hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for right-powers. 7 eousness. 8 Know therefore that they which be of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the 10 Gentiles by faith, preached the tifeth. gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In

of law

4 Or.

message

5 Or, do ye now make an end in the flesh! Gr.

7 Or, in

8 Or, Ye perceive 9 Gr. jus

10 Gr. nations.

9 thee shall all the nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with the 10 faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one which continueth not in all things that are written in the book 11 of the law, to do them. Now that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, 11 Gr. in. is evident: for, The righteous shall live by 12 faith; and the law is not of faith; but, He 13 that doeth them shall live in them. Christ

15

redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed 14 is every one that hangeth on a tree: that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man's 12 covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, 16 or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of 17 one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Now this I say; A 12 covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so 18 as to make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abra19 ham by promise. What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through an20 gels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness 22 would have been of the law. Howbeit the scripture hath shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23

Or, tes

tament

But before 13 faith came, we were kept 13 Or, the in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith faith which should afterwards be revealed.

A.V.

1 Or, rudiments.

I Or, back.

Il Or, rudiments.

!! Or, What was then.

!! Or, us.

Il Or, I am perplexed for you.

|| Or, tes

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

4 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the "elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour 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 infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14 And my temptation which was in flesh my despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

ye

15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake 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?

17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. 21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount taments. Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

li Or, is in the same

rank

with.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

24 So that the law hath been our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith is come, we are no longer 26 under a tutor. For ye are all sons of God, 27 through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many

of you as were baptized into Christ did put 28 on Christ. There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female: for ye all 29 are one man in Christ Jesus. And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.

4

But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondser2 vant, though he is lord of all; but is under guardians and stewards until the term ap3 pointed of the father. So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under 4 the rudiments of the world: but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 that he might redeem them which were under the law, that we might receive the adoption 6 of sons. And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, 7 crying, Abba, Father. So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

8

Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them which by nature are 9 no gods: but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known of God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly 'rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage 10 over again? Ye observe days, and months, 11 and seasons, and years. I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labour upon you in vain.

12

R.V.

Or, ele

ments

2 Gr.

former.

$ Gr. spat out.

Or, of yours

I beseech you, brethren, be as I am, for I 13 am as ye are. Ye did me no wrong: but ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the 2 first time: 14 and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but ye received me as an angel of God, even as Christ 15 Jesus. Where then is that gratulation 4 of yourselves? for I bear you witness, that, if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes 16 and given them to me. So then am I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 17 They zealously seek you in no good way; nay, truly they desire to shut you out, that ye may seek 18 them. But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter at all times, and not only 19 when I am present with you. My little chil

dren, of whom I am again in travail until 20 Christ be formed in you, yea, I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I am perplexed about you.

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, 22 do ye not hear the law? For it is written,

& Or, deal

with you

6 Many

that Abraham had two sons, one by the hand23 maid, and one by the freewoman. Howbeit the son by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born 24 through promise. Which things contain an allegory for these women are two covenants; 25 bondage, which is Hagar. Now this Hagar ties read one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bond26 age with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother.

ancient authori

For Sinai is a тоипtain in Arabia.