¹⁶ But be that as it may, ^(A)I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!

⁵ For ^(A)neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a ^[a]cloak for covetousness—^(B)God is witness.

^3 (A)For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

¹³ For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

⁹ And when I was present with you, and in need, ^(A)I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked ^(B)the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. ^10 (C)As the truth of Christ is in me, ^(D)no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

² But I beg you ^(A)that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

The Corinthians’ Repentance

² Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, ^(A)we have cheated no one.

² But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor ^[a]handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth ^(A)commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Paul’s Sincerity

¹² For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in ^[a]simplicity and ^(A)godly sincerity, ^(B)not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

³ if indeed you have ^(A)tasted that the Lord is gracious.