13 For what is it in which ye were inferior to the other congregations {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} except in that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
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 things, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 And I will very gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
16 But be it so, I did not burden you; nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
17 Did I make a gain of you by any of those whom I sent unto you?
18 I besought Titus and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus defraud you? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and in the same steps?
19 Again, do ye think that we excuse ourselves unto you? We speak before God in Christ, but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.