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- What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.
- He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
- So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.
- But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,
- to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
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- Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
- So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
- Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.
- 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 principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
- You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!
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- I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
- I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.
- As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.
- Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.
- What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
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- Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
- Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.
- It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you.
- My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
- how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
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