New King James Version NKJV
New International Version NIV
1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,
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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 is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.
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The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements 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 had come, 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 to 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 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "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 of God through Christ.
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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 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature 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 after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?
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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 New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.