Poetry by the Book – Galatians 4:8-20

Poetry: Literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style, rhythm and structure.^a

Brethren, I beseech you.
Become as I am, for I also have become as you are.
I bear you witness,
I preached the gospel to you at first
because of a bodily ailment.
My condition was a trial to you.
You did not scorn or despise me.
You did me no wrong,
but received me as an angel of God,
as Christ Jesus.
You know
you would have plucked out your eyes
and given them to me
if possible.

Formerly, when you did not know God,
you were in bondage to beings that by nature are no gods,
the weak and beggarly elemental spirits,
whose slaves you want to be once more.
I am perplexed about you!
What has become of the satisfaction you felt?
You observe days, and months, and seasons, and years!
Have I then become your enemy
by by telling you the truth?
I am afraid I have labored over you in vain.
They (the Judaizers) make much of you,
but for no good purpose.

You have come to know God,
or rather to be known by God,
for a good purpose.
It is always good to be made much of
and not only when I am present with you.
My little children,
until Christ be formed in you,
I am again in travail!

^a My poetry structure was created from the RSV Bible using sentences and phrases verbatim.