4:20a

how I wish I could be with you now: In this clause Paul stated that he wished that he could talk to the Galatians face to face. He wanted personal interaction with them.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

I would like to be with you now
-or-
I desire to be there with you now ?so that we could talk together?

and change my tone: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as change my tone means that Paul wished that he could change the way in which he was writing/talking to them. He wanted to change from being harsh to being more gentle.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and could change the way I am talking to you (New Century Version)
-or-
so that I could be more gentle with you (New Living Translation (1996))

4:20b

because: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because indicates that 4:20b is the reason for 4:20a. Paul wanted to be with the Galatians, for/because he was perplexed about them.

In some languages, it will be more natural to state the reason first. For example:

b I am perplexed about you, a ?so? I wish I could be present with you now…

I am perplexed about you: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as am perplexed means that Paul was “very puzzled” or “uncertain.” He was puzzled because the Galatians had accepted obedience to the law.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

because I do not know what to think about you (New Century Version)
-or-
I’m completely puzzled by what you’ve done! (God’s Word)
-or-
I am so worried about you! (Good News Translation)

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