Galatians 4:8-20

New International Version

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God,^(A) you were slaves^(B) to those who by nature are not gods.^{(C) 9} But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(D)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[a]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(E) by them all over again?^{(F) 10} You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!^{(G) 11} I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.^(H)

¹² I plead with you, brothers and sisters,^(I) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness^(J) that I first preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴ and 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.^{(K) 15} Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?^(L)

¹⁷ 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 have zeal for them.^{(M) 18} It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.^{(N) 19} My dear children,^(O) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^{(P) 20} how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!