Galatians 4:29

But just as at that time the one born by natural descent ¹  persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, ²  so it is now.

At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.

But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.

And we who are born of the Holy Spirit are persecuted by those who want us to keep the law, just as Isaac, the child of promise, was persecuted by Ishmael, the son of the slave–wife.

In the days of Hagar and Sarah, the child who came from faithless connivance (Ishmael) harassed the child who came--empowered by the Spirit--from the faithful promise (Isaac). Isn't it clear that the harassment you are now experiencing from the Jerusalem heretics follows that old pattern?

But as in those days he who had birth after the flesh was cruel to him who had birth after the Spirit, even so it is now.

But just as at that time the child who was born according to the flesh persecuted the child who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.

But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.

But just as at that time the one born by natural descent ¹  persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, ²  so it is now.

¹ tn Grk “according to the flesh”; see the note on the phrase “by natural descent” in 4:23.

² tn Or “the one born by the Spirit’s [power].”