¹⁶ But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.

¹² For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

² But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

² Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.

² Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we don't wage war according to the flesh;

⁹ When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn't a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so.

¹⁰ As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

¹³ For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.

³ For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.

⁵ For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),

³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious: