Isaac

22For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

It is written that Abraham had two sons. One was born to a slave woman, and one to a free woman.

23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

The slave woman's son was born the ordinary human way. The free woman's son was born because of God's promise.

24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

These things stand for something else. The two women stand for two agreements. One agreement comes from Mount Sinai, and its children are born into slavery. That one is Hagar.

25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia. She matches the Jerusalem of today, which is a slave along with her children.

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

But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.

27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

For it is written: "Be glad, woman who has no children. Shout for joy, you who never gave birth. The woman left alone has more children than the woman with a husband."

28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Now you, brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just as Isaac was.

29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

Back then the son born the ordinary way treated the son born by the Spirit badly. The same thing is happening now.

30Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

But what does Scripture say? "Send the slave woman and her son away. The slave woman's son will never share the inheritance with the free woman's son."

31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

So then, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman. We are children of the free woman.

17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

By faith Abraham was willing to offer Isaac when God tested him. God had made him promises, yet he was ready to give up his only son.

18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

God had told him, "Your family line will be counted through Isaac."

19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Abraham figured that God could even raise the dead. And in a way, he did get Isaac back from death.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, speaking about what was still to come.

21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Our father Abraham was counted right with God by what he did. He offered his son Isaac on the altar.

22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

You can see that his faith and his actions worked together. His faith was made complete by what he did.

23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

So the Scripture came true that says, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as right." And he was called the friend of God.

24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

So you see, a person is counted right with God by what he does, and not by faith alone.