New Century Version NCV
New International Version NIV
12 Brothers and sisters, I became like you, so I beg you to become like me. You were very good to me before.
12
I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong.
13 You remember that it was because of an illness that I came to you the first time, preaching the Good News.
13
As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you,
14 Though my sickness was a trouble for you, you did not hate me or make me leave. But you welcomed me as an angel from God, as if I were Jesus Christ himself!
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 You were very happy then, but where is that joy now? I am ready to testify that you would have taken out your eyes and given them to me if that were possible.
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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 Now am I your enemy because I tell you the truth?
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Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 Those peoplen are working hard to persuade you, but this is not good for you. They want to persuade you to turn against us and follow only 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 It is good for people to show interest in you, but only if their purpose is good. This is always true, not just when I am 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, again I feel the pain of childbirth for you until you truly become like Christ.
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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 wish I could be with you now and could change the way I am talking to you, because I do not know what to think about you.
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how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. 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.