2 Corinthians 12:11-21

11 I have become a fool; *ye* have compelled me; for *I* ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing.
12 The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power.
13 For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.
14 Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; for I do not seek yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 Now *I* shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved.
16 But be it so. *I* did not burden you, but being crafty I took you by guile.
17 Did I make gain of you by any of those whom I have sent to you?
18 I begged Titus, and sent the brother with [him]: did Titus at all make gain of you? have we not walked in the same spirit? [have we] not in the same steps?
19 Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up.
20 For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish, and that *I* be found by you such as ye do not wish: lest [there might be] strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances;
21 lest my God should humble me as to you when I come again, and that I shall grieve over many of those who have sinned before, and have not repented as to the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practised.

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. The apostle is not saying that he did this, but is answering a charge that he had kept up appearances by taking nothing himself, but knew how to indemnify himself by using Titus in order to receive from them. The charge was false, as he proceeds to show.
  • [b]. Or 'Ye have of old supposed.'
  • [c]. Heos, 'as far as:' see Luke 24.50; Acts 11.22.
  • [d]. Or 'amongst you.'
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.