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)

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