Galatians 4:12-20

International Standard Version

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

¹² I beg you, brothers, to become like me, since I became like you. You did not do anything wrong to me. ¹³ You know that it was because I was ill^[a] that I brought you the gospel the first time. ¹⁴ Even though my condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. On the contrary, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, or as if I were the Messiah^[b] Jesus. ¹⁵ What, then, happened to your positive attitude?^[c] For I testify that if it had been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ So have I now become your enemy for telling you the truth?

¹⁷ These people who have been instructing you^[d] are devoted to you, but not in a good way. They want you to avoid me so that you will be devoted to them. ¹⁸ (Now it is always good to be devoted to a good cause, even when I am not with you.) ¹⁹ My children, I am suffering birth pains for you again until the Messiah^[e] is formed in you. ²⁰ Indeed, I wish I were with you right now so that I could change the tone of my voice, because I am completely baffled by you!