Good News Translation GNT
New International Version NIV
12 we wear ourselves out with hard work. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;
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We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
13 when we are insulted, we answer back with kind words. We are no more than this world's garbage; we are the scum of the earth to this very moment!
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when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.
14 I write this to you, not because I want to make you feel ashamed, but to instruct you as my own dear children.
14
I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.
15 For even if you have ten thousand guardians in your Christian life, you have only one father. For in your life in union with Christ Jesus I have become your father by bringing the Good News to you.
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Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
16 I beg you, then, to follow my example.
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Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17 For this purpose I am sending to you Timothy, who is my own dear and faithful son in the Christian life. He will remind you of the principles which I follow in the new life in union with Christ Jesus and which I teach in all the churches everywhere.
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For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
18 Some of you have become proud because you have thought that I would not be coming to visit you.
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Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
19 If the Lord is willing, however, I will come to you soon, and then I will find out for myself the power which these proud people have, and not just what they say.
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But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.
20 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of words but of power.
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For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in a spirit of love and gentleness?
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What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.