11 I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
12 The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.
13 In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15 And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
16 Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.
17 Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you?
18 I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.
20 For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
21 I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.