New Century Version NCV
New International Version NIV
12 We work hard with our own hands for our food. When people curse us, we bless them. When they hurt us, we put 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 they tell evil lies about us, we speak nice words about them. Even today, we are treated as though we were the garbage of the world -- the filth of the earth.
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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 trying to make you feel ashamed. I am writing this to give you a warning as my own dear children.
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I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.
15 For though you may have ten thousand teachers in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Through the Good News I became your father in Christ Jesus,
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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 so I beg you, please follow my example.
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Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17 That is why I am sending to you Timothy, my son in the Lord. I love Timothy, and he is faithful. He will help you remember my way of life in Christ Jesus, just as I teach it 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, thinking that I will not come to you again.
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Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
19 But I will come to you very soon if the Lord wishes. Then I will know what the proud ones do, not 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 because the kingdom of God is present not in talk but in power.
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For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
21 Which do you want: that I come to you with punishment or with 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 New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.