⁹ But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(A)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[a]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(B) by them all over again?^{(C) 10} You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!^{(D) 11} I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.^(E)

⁷ You were running a good race.^(A) Who cut in on you^(B) to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^{(C) 9} “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”^{(D) 10} I am confident^(E) in the Lord that you will take no other view.^(F) The one who is throwing you into confusion,^(G) whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?^(H) In that case the offense^(I) of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those agitators,^(J) I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!