The Signs of an Apostle

12:11 I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison18 to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12:12 Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with great perseverance19 by signs and wonders and powerful deeds.20 12:13 For how21 were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice! 12:14 Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not have22 to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 12:15 Now I will most gladly spend and be spent for your lives!23 If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 12:16 But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit! 12:17 I have not taken advantage of you through anyone I have sent to you, have I?24 12:18 I urged Titus to visit you25 and I sent our26 brother along with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he?27 Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit? Did we not behave in the same way?28 12:19 Have you been thinking all this time29 that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up.30 12:20 For I am afraid that somehow when I come I will not find you what I wish, and you will find me31 not what you wish. I am afraid that32 somehow there may be quarreling, jealousy, intense anger, selfish ambition,33 slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. 12:21 I am afraid that34 when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will grieve for35 many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced.