New American Standard Bible NAS
New International Version NIV
1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of 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 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.
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The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.
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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 fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the 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 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
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to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! 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 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
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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 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no 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 have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved 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?
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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.