4. But when the right time came, God sent his Son ⌊into the world⌋. A woman gave birth to him, and he came under the control of the laws given to Moses.
5. God sent him to pay for the freedom of those who were controlled by these laws so that we would be adopted as his children.
6. Because you are God’s children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into us to call out, “Abba! Father!”
7. So you are no longer slaves but God’s children. Since you are God’s children, God has also made you heirs.
8. When you didn’t know God, you were slaves to things which are really not gods at all.
9. But now you know God, or rather, God knows you. So how can you turn back again to the powerless and bankrupt principles of this world? Why do you want to become their slaves all over again?
10. You religiously observe days, months, seasons, and years!
11. I’m afraid for you. Maybe the hard work I spent on you has been wasted.
12. Brothers and sisters, I beg you to become like me. After all, I became like you were.You didn’t do anything wrong to me.
13. You know that the first time I brought you the Good News I was ill.