Add parallel Print Page Options

14 Here (A)for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for (B)I seek not what is yours but you. For (C)children are not bound to save up for their parents, but (D)parents for their children. 15 (E)I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If (F)I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that (G)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 (H)through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 (I)I urged Titus to go, and sent (J)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 (K)in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and (L)all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps (M)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 quarrelling, 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 (N)who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, (O)sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practised.

Final Warnings

13 (P)This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established (Q)by the evidence of two or three witnesses. (R)I warned (S)those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that (T)if I come again I will not spare them— since you seek proof that Christ (U)is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but (V)is powerful among you. For (W)he was crucified in weakness, but (X)lives by the power of God. For (Y)we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you (Z)we will live with him by the power of God.