Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
12 Brethren, I beseech you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong;
12
I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong.
13 you know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first;
13
As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you,
14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
14
and even 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.
15 What has become of the satisfaction you felt? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
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Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
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Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.
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Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.
18 For a good purpose it is always good to be made much of, and not only when I am present with you.
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It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.
19 My little children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you!
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My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
20 I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
20
how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.