Galatians 3:21-4:7

New International Version

²¹ Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!^(A) For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.^{(B) 22} But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin,^(C) so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Children of God

²³ Before the coming of this faith,^[a] we were held in custody^(D) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.^{(E) 24} So the law was our guardian until Christ came^(F) that we might be justified by faith.^{(G) 25} Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.^(H)

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God^(I) through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ^(J) have clothed yourselves with Christ.^{(K) 28} There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,^(L) nor is there male and female,^(M) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.^{(N) 29} If you belong to Christ,^(O) then you are Abraham’s seed,^(P) and heirs^(Q) according to the promise.^(R)

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery^(S) under the elemental spiritual forces^[b] of the world.^{(T) 4} But when the set time had fully come,^(U) God sent his Son,^(V) born of a woman,^(W) born under the law,^{(X) 5} to redeem^(Y) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(Z) to sonship.^{[c](AA) 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(AB) into our hearts,^(AC) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[d] Father.”^{(AD) 7} So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.^(AE)