²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above^(A) is free, and she is our mother.

²³ to the church of the firstborn,^(A) whose names are written in heaven.^(B) You have come to God, the Judge of all,^(C) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,^(D)