Galatians 4:9-20

9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be 1known by God, 2how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless 34elementary principles, to which you want to be enslaved all over again? 10You 5meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years. 11I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored 6over you in vain.

12I beg of you, 7brothers and sisters, 8become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; 13but you know that it was because of a 9bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the 10first time; 14and you did not despise that which was a trial to you in my 11bodily condition, nor express contempt, but 12you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. 15Where then is 13that sense of blessing you had? For I testify about you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16So have I become your enemy 14by 15telling you the truth? 17They eagerly seek you, not 16in a commendable way, but they want to shut you out so that you will seek them. 18But it is good always to be eagerly sought 17in a commendable way, and 18not only when I am present with you. 1919My children, with whom 20I am again in labor until 21Christ is formed in you-- 20but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone of voice, for 22I am at a loss about you!