2 Corinthians 12:12-21

English Standard Version

^12 (A)The signs of a true apostle were performed among you ^(B)with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. ¹³ For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that ^(C)I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

¹⁴ Here ^(D)for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for ^(E)I seek not what is yours but you. For ^(F)children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but ^(G)parents for their children. ^15 (H)I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If ^(I)I love you more, am I to be loved less? ¹⁶ But granting that ^(J)I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. ¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you ^(K)through any of those whom I sent to you? ^18 (L)I urged Titus to go, and sent ^(M)the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?

¹⁹ Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is ^(N)in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and ^(O)all for your upbuilding, beloved. ²⁰ For I fear that perhaps ^(P)when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. ²¹ I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those ^(Q)who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, ^(R)sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.