Add parallel Print Page Options

12 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles—free from those laws.

You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you. 13 Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News. 14 But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible. 16 Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?

17 Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them. 18 If someone is eager to do good things for you, that’s all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I’m with you.

19 Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. 20 I wish I were with you right now so I could change my tone. But at this distance I don’t know how else to help you.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 4:12 Greek brothers; also in 4:28, 31.

12 Become ginomai as hōs I egō am, because hoti I kagō have become as hōs you hymeis are; I plead deomai with you hymeis, brothers adelphos. You have done adikeō me egō no oudeis wrong adikeō. 13 You know oida · de that hoti it was due to dia a physical sarx infirmity astheneia · ho that I preached the gospel euangelizō to you hymeis at ho first proteros; 14 and kai though my egō condition sarx was a ho trial peirasmos to you hymeis, · ho you did not ou despise exoutheneō or oude reject ekptyō me, but alla you welcomed dechomai me egō as hōs an angel angelos of God theos, as hōs though I were Christ Christos Jesus Iēsous. 15 What pou then oun became of the ho blessing makarismos you hymeis enjoyed? For gar I testify martyreō about you hymeis that hoti, if ei possible dynatos, you would have torn out exoryssō · ho your hymeis eyes ophthalmos and given didōmi them to me egō! 16 So then hōste, have I become ginomai your hymeis enemy echthros by telling you hymeis the truth alētheuō?

17 They zealously seek zēloō your hymeis favor, but for no ou good kalōs purpose . Rather alla, they want thelō to separate ekkleiō you hymeis from us so that hina you will seek zēloō them autos. 18 Now de to be zealous zēloō for en a good purpose kalos is always pantote good kalos, · kai not just monon when en I egō am present pareimi with pros you hymeis.

19 My egō little children teknon, for whom hos I am again palin in the pain of childbirth ōdinō until mechri Christ Christos is formed morphoō in en you hymeis, 20 I wish thelō · de I could be pareimi with pros you hymeis now arti and kai change allassō · ho my egō tone phōnē, for hoti I am perplexed aporeō about en you hymeis.

Read full chapter