Parallel Bible results for "galatians 4:8-20"

Galatians 4:8-20

Common English Bible CEB

8 At the time, when you didn't know God, you were enslaved by things that aren't gods by nature.

9 But now, after knowing God (or rather, being known by God), how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless world system? Do you want to be slaves to it again?

10 You observe religious days and months and seasons and years.

11 I'm afraid for you! Perhaps my hard work for you has been for nothing.

12 I beg you to be like me, brothers and sisters, because I have become like you! You haven't wronged me.

13 You know that I first preached the gospel to you because of an illness.

14 Though my poor health burdened you, you didn't look down on me or reject me, but you welcomed me as if I were an angel from God, or as if I were Christ Jesus!

15 Where then is the great attitude that you had? I swear that, if possible, you would have dug out your eyes and given them to me.

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

17 They are so concerned about you, though not with good intentions. Rather, they want to shut you out so that you would run after them.

18 However, it's always good to have people concerned about you with good intentions, and not just when I'm there with you.

19 My little children, I'm going through labor pains again until Christ is formed in you.

20 But I wish I could be with you now and change how I sound, because I'm at a loss about you.

New International Version NIV

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces ? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!

11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong.

13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you,

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 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 now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17 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 fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.

19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!