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Galatians 4:3-9
King James Version
Galatians 4:3-9
King James Version
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
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Galatians 4:3-9
New International Version
Galatians 4:3-9
New International Version
3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery(A) under the elemental spiritual forces[a] of the world.(B) 4 But when the set time had fully come,(C) God sent his Son,(D) born of a woman,(E) born under the law,(F) 5 to redeem(G) those under the law, that we might receive adoption(H) to sonship.[b](I) 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son(J) into our hearts,(K) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[c] Father.”(L) 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.(M)
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
8 Formerly, when you did not know God,(N) you were slaves(O) to those who by nature are not gods.(P) 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God(Q)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces[d]? Do you wish to be enslaved(R) by them all over again?(S)
Footnotes
- Galatians 4:3 Or under the basic principles
- Galatians 4:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.
- Galatians 4:6 Aramaic for Father
- Galatians 4:9 Or principles
Galatians 4:3-9
English Standard Version
Galatians 4:3-9
English Standard Version
3 In the same way we also, when we were children, (A)were enslaved to the elementary principles[a] of the world. 4 But (B)when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, (C)born (D)of woman, born (E)under the law, 5 (F)to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive (G)adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent (H)the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then (I)an heir through God.
Paul's Concern for the Galatians
8 Formerly, when you (J)did not know God, you (K)were enslaved to those that by nature (L)are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather (M)to be known by God, (N)how can you turn back again to (O)the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
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- Galatians 4:3 Or elemental spirits; also verse 9
Galatians 4:3-9
Christian Standard Bible
Galatians 4:3-9
Christian Standard Bible
3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elements[a] of the world.(A) 4 When the time came to completion, God sent his Son,(B) born of a woman,(C) born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.(D) 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son(E) into our[b] hearts, crying, “Abba,[c] Father!” (F) 7 So you are no longer a slave(G) but a son,(H) and if a son, then God has made you an heir.(I)
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
8 But in the past, since you didn’t know God,(J) you were enslaved to things[d] that by nature are not gods. 9 But now, since you know God,(K) or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless(L) elements?(M) Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?
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Galatians 4:3-9
New American Standard Bible 1995
Galatians 4:3-9
New American Standard Bible 1995
3 So also we, while we were children, were held (A)in bondage under the [a](B)elemental things of the world. 4 But when (C)the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, (D)born of a woman, born (E)under [b]the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under [c]the Law, that we might receive the adoption as (F)sons. 6 Because you are sons, (G)God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “(H)Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and (I)if a son, then an heir [d]through God.
8 However at that time, (J)when you did not know God, you were (K)slaves to (L)those which by nature are no gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be (M)known by God, (N)how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless [e](O)elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?
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- Galatians 4:3 Or rudimentary teachings or principles
- Galatians 4:4 Or law
- Galatians 4:5 Or law
- Galatians 4:7 I.e. through the gracious act of
- Galatians 4:9 Or rudimentary teachings or principles
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.