Why then the law? It was added on account of transgressions, until the Seed should come to whom it had been promised; and it was commanded through angels by the hand of a mediator.

Therefore the law has become our custodian, [leading us] to Christ, so that we might be justified by faith.

But after faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian.

But now, having known God, or rather, having been known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which once again you wish to be slaves?

for Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, and is in slavery with her children--

So then, brothers, we are not children of the servant girl, but of the free [woman].

and that was because of false brothers secretly brought in (who slipped in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might reduce us to slavery),

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, having been hemmed in for the faith which was to be revealed.

Stand fast therefore in the freedom in which Christ has made us free, and do not be loaded down again with a yoke of bondage.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, truly you are My disciples.

Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

But now, having known God, or rather, having been known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which once again you wish to be slaves?

Beware lest anyone captures you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

If you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you submit to regulations--

who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.