Galatians 4:12-20

New International Version

¹²I plead with you, brothers and sisters,^(A) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³As you know, it was because of an illness^(B) that I first preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴and 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) ¹⁵Where, 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. ¹⁶Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?^(D)

¹⁷Those 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) ¹⁸It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.^(F) ¹⁹My dear children,^(G) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^(H) ²⁰how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

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Galatians 4:12-20

International Standard Version

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

¹²I beg you, brothers, to become like me, since I became like you. You did not do anything wrong to me. ¹³You know that it was because I was ill^[a] that I brought you the gospel the first time. ¹⁴Even 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. ¹⁵What, 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. ¹⁶So have I now become your enemy for telling you the truth?

¹⁷These 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.) ¹⁹My children, I am suffering birth pains for you again until the Messiah^[e] is formed in you. ²⁰Indeed, 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!