New Century Version NCV
New International Version NIV
1 I want to tell you this: While those who will inherit their fathers' prop- erty are still children, they are no different from slaves. It does not matter that the children own 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 they are children, they must obey those who are chosen to care for them. But when the children reach the age set by their fathers, they are free.
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The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
3 It is the same for us. We were once like children, slaves to the useless rules of this 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 right time came, God sent his Son who was born of a woman and lived 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 God did this so he could buy freedom for those who were under the law and so we could become his children.
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to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
6 Since you are God's children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and the Spirit cries out, "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 now you are not a slave; you are God's child, and God will give you the blessing he promised, because you are his child.
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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. You were slaves to gods that were not real.
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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 you know the true God. Really, it is God who knows you. So why do you turn back to those weak and useless rules you followed before? Do you want to be slaves to those things 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?
10 You still follow teachings about special days, months, seasons, and years.
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You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 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.