2 Corinthians 12:11-19

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthian Church

¹¹ I have been a fool! You forced me to it. Indeed you should have been the ones commending me, for I am not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.^{(A) 12} The signs of an apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, signs and wonders and mighty works.^{(B) 13} How have you been worse off than the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!^(C)

¹⁴ Here I am, ready to come to you this third time, and I will not be a burden because I do not want what is yours but you, for children ought not to save up for their parents but parents for their children.^{(D) 15} I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?^{(E) 16} Be that as it may, I did not burden you. But, crafty person that I am, did I take you in by deceit? ¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? ¹⁸ I urged Titus to go and sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves with the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same footsteps?^(F)

¹⁹ Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves before you? We are speaking in Christ before God. Everything we do, beloved, is for the sake of building you up.^(G)