Galatians 4:8–20

Paul Reproves the Galatians

⁸Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods.^{* 9}Now, however, that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental principles?^z How can you want to be enslaved to them again?^{* 10}You are observing special days and months and seasons and years. ¹¹I am afraid that my work for you may have been wasted.

¹²Brothers and sisters, I beg you: become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. ¹³You know that it was because of a physical infirmity that I first announced the gospel to you; ¹⁴though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵What has become of the goodwill you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? ¹⁷They make much of you but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you may make much of them. ¹⁸It is good to be made much of for a good purpose at all times and not only when I am present with you. ¹⁹My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^{* 20}I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.