New King James Version NKJV
New International Version NIV
12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being 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 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
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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 do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.
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I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.
15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
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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, imitate me.
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Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
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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 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.
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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 shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the 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 in word but in power.
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For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and 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?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 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.