The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New International Version NIV
12 we exhaust ourselves working with our own hands for our living. When we are cursed, we keep on blessing; when we are persecuted, we go on putting up with it;
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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 slandered, we continue making our appeal. We are the world's garbage, the scum of the earth - yes, to this 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 am not writing you this to make you feel ashamed, but, as my dear children, to confront you and get you to change.
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I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.
15 For even if you have ten thousand trainers in connection with the Messiah, you do not have many fathers; for in connection with the Messiah Yeshua it was I who became your father by means of the Good News.
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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 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
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Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17 This is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord. He will remind you of the way of life I follow in union with the Messiah Yeshua and teach everywhere in every congregation.
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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 When I didn't come to visit you, some of you became arrogant.
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Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
19 But I am coming to you soon, if the Lord wills; and I will take cognizance not of the talk of these arrogant people but of their power.
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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 - should I come to you with a stick? or with love in a spirit of 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?
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. 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.