Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

⁸ At first, you did not know God. At that time you obeyed things which are not real gods.

⁹ But now you know God. That is, God knows you. Then why do you turn to things that are weak and can do no good? Do you want to obey them again?

¹⁰ You have holy days, holy months, holy seasons, and holy years.

¹¹ I fear that all my work for you has been for nothing.

¹² My brothers, I beg you, be like me because I am like you. You did me no wrong.

¹³ You know that I was sick when I first told you the good news.

¹⁴ My sickness troubled you. But you did not think wrongly of me or turn away from me. You received me as if I were an angel from God, as if I were Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Why are you not happy any more? I saw myself that you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if you could do such a thing.

¹⁶ Do you hate me because I tell you the truth?

¹⁷ Other people are trying hard to get you on their side. But they do not mean to help you. They want to get you away from Christ so that you will listen to them.

¹⁸ Of course, it is good if someone tries to help you, but only if it is for a good reason. It is always good, not only when I am with you.

¹⁹ My dear children, I feel pain for you again, like a mother when her child is being born. I will feel pain until Christ lives in your heart.

²⁰ I wish I could be with you now, and not have to talk this way. But I am troubled about you.