English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the 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 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 also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles 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 time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of 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, so that we might receive 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 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 So 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.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
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.