12|gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that Godhasn’t given you?And if everything you haveis from God,why boast as though it were not a gift?8 You think you already have everything you need. You think you are alreadyrich. You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! I wish you reallywere reigning already, for then we would be reigning with you. 9 Instead, Isometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war atthe end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacleto the entire world—to people and angels alike.10 Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be sowise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, butwe are ridiculed. 11 Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t haveenough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home. 12 Wework wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those whocurse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. 13 We appeal gently whenevil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, likeeverybody’s trash—right up to the present moment.14 I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my belovedchildren. 15 For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ,you have only one spiritual father.For I becameyour father in Christ Jesuswhen I preachedthe Good News to you.So I urge you to imitate me.17 That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord.He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all thechurches wherever I go.18 Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again. 19 ButI will come—and soon—if the Lord lets me, and then I’ll find out whetherthese arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they reallyhave God’s power. 20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is livingby God’s power. 21 Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punishyou, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?16Paul Condemns Spiritual PrideI can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going onamong you—something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man5
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