Galatians 4:9-20

9But now that you have come to know God (or rather to be known by God), how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless basic forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?

10You are observing religious days and months and seasons and years.

11I fear for you that my work for you may have been in vain.

12I beg you, brothers and sisters, become like me, because I have become like you. You have done me no wrong!

13But you know it was because of a physical illness that I first proclaimed the gospel to you,

14and though my physical condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as though I were an angel of God, as though I were Christ Jesus himself!

15Where then is your sense of happiness now? For I testify about you that if it were possible, you would have pulled out your eyes and given them to me!

16So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17They court you eagerly, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly.

18However, it is good to be sought eagerly for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you.

19My children – I am again undergoing birth pains until Christ is formed in you!

20I wish I could be with you now and change my tone of voice, because I am perplexed about you.