¹⁵ Moses was very angry and said to the Lord, “Pay no attention to their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, and I have not harmed any one of them.”^(A)

⁴ and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,^{(A) 5} but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.^(B)

Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance

² Make room in your hearts^[a] for us; we have wronged no one; we have corrupted no one; we have taken advantage of no one.^(A)

¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers.^(A)

²⁶ Be angry but do not sin;^[a] do not let the sun go down on your anger,

¹⁴ Here I am, ready to come to you this third time, and I will not be a burden because I do not want what is yours but you, for children ought not to save up for their parents but parents for their children.^{(A) 15} I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?^{(B) 16} Be that as it may, I did not burden you. But, crafty person that I am, did I take you in by deceit? ¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you?

The Postponement of Paul’s Visit

¹² Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the world with holiness^[a] and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God—and all the more toward you.^(A)

¹⁵ But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this so that they may be applied in my case. Indeed, I would rather die than that—no one will deprive me of my ground for boasting!

³³ I coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothing.^{(A) 34} You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions.^(B)

⁵ He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.