Indeed, this is our boast: The testimony of our conscience is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially towards you, with godly sincerity and purity, not by human wisdom but by God’s grace.
2 Corinthians 12:16 - Christian Standard Bible Anglicised Now granted, I did not burden you; yet, sly as I am, I took you in by deceit! Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition But though granting that I did not burden you [with my support, some say that] I was crafty [and that] I cheated and got the better of you with my trickery. American Standard Version (1901) But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile. Common English Bible We all know that I didn’t place a burden on you, but in spite of that you think I’m a con artist who fooled you with a trick. Catholic Public Domain Version And so be it. I have not burdened you, but instead, being astute, I obtained you by guile. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version But be it so: I did not burthen you: but being crafty, I caught you by guile. |
Indeed, this is our boast: The testimony of our conscience is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially towards you, with godly sincerity and purity, not by human wisdom but by God’s grace.
In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone is arrogant towards you, if someone slaps you in the face.
So in what way are you worse off than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me for this wrong!
Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not acting deceitfully or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth.
through glory and dishonour, through slander and good report; regarded as deceivers, yet true;
Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, corrupted no one, taken advantage of no one.
For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.
For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives #– #God is our witness #– #