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13 For what is it that ye were inferior in to the rest of the churches, unless it be that I myself was not burdensome to you?--- Forgive me this injury. 14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your substance, but your selves. For children are not expected to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will with the greatest pleasure spend and be spent for your souls; even though the more I love you, the less I should be loved. 16 Be it so, that I did not burden you myself, yet, may some say, being crafty I over-reached you by subtilty. 17 But did I make a gain of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I desired Titus to come to you, and with him I sent a brother: did Titus make a gain of you? did we not walk in the same spirit? did we not tread in the same steps? 19 Do ye then think that we are making apologies to you? No, we speak before God in Christ: and all, my beloved, for your edification. 20 For I am afraid least when I come, I should not find you such as I could wish, and I should be found to you such as ye would not: least there should be contentions, emulations, animosities, strifes, thwartings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: and least, 21 when I come again, my God should humble me among you, and I should be grieved for many of those who have sinned heretofore, and have not repented of the impurity, and fornication, and lewdness which they have practised. 2 Corinthians 12:13-21, Worsley New Testament. Public domain.
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