16 Now granted, I did not burdenj you; yet sly as I am, I took you in by deceit!k 17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those I sent you? 18 I urged Titusl to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus didn’t take advantage of you, did he? Didn’t we walk in the same spiritm and in the same footsteps?

19 Have you been thinking all along that we were defending ourselves to you? No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.n 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and you may not find me to be what you want. Perhaps there will be quarreling,o jealousy,p angry outbursts, selfish ambitions,q slander,r gossip, arrogance, and disorder.s 21 I fear that when I come my God will againB humiliate me in your presence, and I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repentedt of the moral impurity, sexual immorality,u and sensualityv they practiced.

FINAL WARNINGS AND EXHORTATIONS

13 This is the third time I am coming to you.w Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.C,x 2 I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warningy while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient, 3 since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me.z He is not weak in dealing with you, but powerful among you.