¹² I ask you, brothers, become like me, because I also have become like you. You have done me no wrong!

Paul’s Personal Appeal

¹³ But you know that because of an illness of the flesh I proclaimed the gospel to you the first time. ¹⁴ And you did not despise or disdain what was a trial for you in my flesh, but you welcomed me like an angel of God, like Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ So where is your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me! ¹⁶ So then, have I become your enemy by^[a] being truthful to you? ¹⁷ They zealously seek you, not commendably, but they want to exclude you, in order that you may seek them zealously. ¹⁸ But it is good to be sought zealously in good at all times, and not only when I am present with you. ¹⁹ My children, for whom I am having birth pains again, until Christ is formed in you! ²⁰ But I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone because I am perplexed about you.