Galatians 4:8-20

New American Standard Bible

⁸ However at that time, ^(A)when you did not know God, you were ^(B)slaves to ^(C)those which by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be ^(D)known by God, ^(E)how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless ^[a](F)elementary principles, to which you want to be enslaved all over again? ¹⁰ You ^(G)meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years. ¹¹ I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored ^[b]over you in vain.

¹² I beg of you, ^(H)brothers and sisters, ^(I)become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; ¹³ but you know that it was because of a ^[c]bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the ^[d]first time; ¹⁴ and you did not despise that which was a trial to you in my ^[e]bodily condition, nor express contempt, but ^(J)you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. ¹⁵ Where then is ^[f]that sense of blessing you had? For I testify about you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ So have I become your enemy ^(K)by ^[g]telling you the truth? ¹⁷ They eagerly seek you, not ^[h]in a commendable way, but they want to shut you out so that you will seek them. ¹⁸ But it is good always to be eagerly sought ^[i]in a commendable way, and ^(L)not only when I am present with you. ^19 (M)My children, with whom ^(N)I am again in labor until ^(O)Christ is formed in you— ²⁰ but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone of voice, for ^(P)I am at a loss about you!