13. For what is there that you have had which is less than the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this injury.
14. Behold, this is the third time I have prepared to come to you, and yet I will not be a burden to you. For I am seeking not the things that are yours, but you yourselves. And neither should the children store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15. And so, very willingly, I will spend and exhaust myself for the sake of your souls, loving you more, while being loved less.
16. And so be it. I have not burdened you, but instead, being astute, I obtained you by guile.
17. And yet, did I defraud you by means of any of those whom I sent to you?
18. I asked for Titus, and I sent a brother with him. Did Titus defraud you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19. Have you ever thought that we should explain ourselves to you? We speak in the sight of God, in Christ. But all things, most beloved, are for your edification.
20. Yet I fear, lest perhaps, when I have arrived, I might not find you such as I would want, and I might be found by you, such as you would not want. For perhaps there may be among you: contention, envy, animosity, dissension, detraction, whispering, self-exaltation, and rebellion.
21. If so, then, when I have arrived, God may again humble me among you. And so, I mourn for the many who sinned beforehand, and did not repent, over the lust and fornication and homosexuality, which they have committed.