12. I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;
13. but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time;
14. and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.
15. Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
16. So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17. They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.
18. But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.
19. My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you-
20. but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
21. Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law?
22. For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.
23. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.
24. This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar.