American Standard Version ASV
New International Version NIV
14 I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
14
I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.
15 For though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet [have ye] not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat 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 I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.
16
Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church.
17
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 will; and I will know, not the word of them that 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.
20
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
21
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?
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.
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.