Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had.

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In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

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,

NIVNew International Version (2011)

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.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner of everything.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Now I say, for as long a time as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is master of everything,

KJV 1900King James Version

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

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