Study Desk

I beg of you, brothers and sisters, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;

Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time;

Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.

and you did not despise that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition, nor express contempt, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Where then is that 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.

Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

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

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

They eagerly seek you, not in a commendable way, but they want to shut you out so that you will seek them.

They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable way, and not only when I am present with you.

But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone of voice, for I am at a loss about you!

I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.