³ In the same way we also, when we were children, ^(A)were enslaved to the elementary principles^[a] of the world.

⁹ But now that you have come to know God, or rather ^(A)to be known by God, ^(B)how can you turn back again to ^(C)the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

²⁴ Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two ^(A)covenants. ^(B)One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia;^[a] she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.

²⁰ For you bear it if someone ^(A)makes slaves of you, or ^(B)devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or ^(C)strikes you in the face.

¹⁵ For ^(A)you did not receive ^(B)the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of ^(C)adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ^(D)“Abba! Father!”