Galatians
Chapter 4: 8-20
Paul's Concern for the Galatians
8Formerly,
when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9But now that you know God—or rather are known by
God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do
you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10You are
observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11I
fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
12I plead
with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. 13As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached
the gospel to you. 14Even 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. 15What has
happened to all your joy? 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?
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 be zealous for them. 18It is fine to
be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with
you. 19My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of
childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20how I wish I
could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
