8 At one time you didn't know God. You were slaves to gods that are really not gods at all.
9 But now you know God. Even better, God knows you. So why are you turning back to those weak and worthless beliefs? Do you want to be slaves to them all over again?
10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!
11 I am afraid for you. I am afraid that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
12 I make my appeal to you, brothers and sisters. I'm asking you to become like me. After all, I became like you. You didn't do anything wrong to me.
13 As you know, it was because I was sick that I first preached the good news to you.
14 My sickness was hard on you. But you didn't put me off. You didn't make fun of me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God. You welcomed me as if I were Christ Jesus himself.