14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time,(A) and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents,(B) but parents for their children.(C) 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.(D) If I love you more,(E) will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you.(F) Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? 18 I urged(G) Titus(H) to go to you and I sent our brother(I) with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?

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Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

14 Now I am ready to come to you this third time.(A) I will not burden you, for I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for you.[a](B) If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 Now granted, I have not burdened(C) you; yet sly as I am, I took you in by deceit!(D) 17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone I sent you? 18 I urged Titus(E) to come, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit(F) and in the same footsteps?

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:15 Lit for your souls, or for your lives