¹² I plead with you, brothers and sisters,^(A) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness^(B) 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.^{(C) 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?^(D)

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