19 Have you been thinking all along that we were defending ourselves to you? No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.(A) 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and you may not find me to be what you want. Perhaps there will be quarreling,(B) jealousy,(C) angry outbursts, selfish ambitions,(D) slander,(E) gossip, arrogance, and disorder.(F) 21 I fear that when I come my God will again[a] humiliate me in your presence, and I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented(G) of the moral impurity, sexual immorality,(H) and sensuality(I) they practiced.

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Footnotes

  1. 12:21 Or come again my God will

19 Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you. 20 For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. 21 Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.

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