Good News Translation GNT
New International Version NIV
1 But now to continue - the son who will receive his father's property is treated just like a slave while he is young, even though he really owns everything.
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What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.
2 While he is young, there are men who take care of him and manage his affairs until the time set by his father.
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The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
3 In the same way, we too were slaves of the ruling spirits of the universe before we reached spiritual maturity.
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So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.
4 But when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother and lived under the Jewish Law,
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But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5 to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might become God's children.
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to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
6 To show that you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, "Father, my Father."
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Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
7 So then, you are no longer a slave but a child. And since you are his child, God will give you all that he has for his children.
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So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
8 In the past you did not know God, and so you were slaves of beings who are not gods.
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Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.
9 But now that you know God - or, I should say, now that God knows you - how is it that you want to turn back to those weak and pitiful ruling spirits? Why do you want to become their slaves all over again?
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But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces ? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.