King James Bible
"For 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."
Paul quotes Isaiah 54:1, addressing Jerusalem personified as a barren woman who should celebrate despite childlessness. In Paul's allegory, this represents the heavenly Jerusalem (the church) which appeared spiritually unfruitful compared to the earthly Jerusalem under the law. The barren woman is commanded to shout with joy even without experiencing labor pains. This paradox emphasizes that spiritual fruitfulness comes not through human effort (travail) but through God's promise and grace. The abandoned woman (representing those under grace) will ultimately have more offspring than the married woman (representing those under law). Paul argues that spiritual descendants through faith far exceed physical descendants, showing the superiority of the new covenant.