1. Children who are under age are no better off than slaves, even though everything their parents own will some day be theirs.
2. This is because children are placed in the care of guardians and teachers until the time their parents have set.
3. That is how it was with us. We were like children ruled by the powers of this world.
4. But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law,
5. so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God's children.
6. Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father.
7. You are no longer slaves. You are God's children, and you will be given what he has promised.
8. Before you knew God, you were slaves of gods that are not real.
9. But now you know God, or better still, God knows you. How can you turn back and become the slaves of those weak and pitiful powers?