But I haven't made use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this now in order to claim such rights for myself. I would rather die first! Nobody is going to turn my rightful boast into empty words!

I do not say this to condemn you; for, as I have said before, you are so dear to us that we are always together, whether we live or die.

Perhaps you think that all along we have been trying to defend ourselves before you. No! We speak as Christ would have us speak in the presence of God, and everything we do, dear friends, is done to help you.

For even if you have ten thousand guardians in your Christian life, you have only one father. For in your life in union with Christ Jesus I have become your father by bringing the Good News to you.

Dear friends in Corinth! We have spoken frankly to you; we have opened our hearts wide.

I speak now as though you were my children: show us the same feelings that we have for you. Open your hearts wide!

Do I say this because I don't love you? God knows I love you!

This is now the third time that I am ready to come to visit you---and I will not make any demands on you. It is you I want, not your money. After all, children should not have to provide for their parents, but parents should provide for their children.

I will be glad to spend all I have, and myself as well, in order to help you. Will you love me less because I love you so much?

You know that we treated each one of you just as parents treat their own children.

If you do warn a good man not to sin and he listens to you and doesn't sin, he will stay alive, and your life will also be spared."

Watch, then, and remember that with many tears, day and night, I taught every one of you for three years.

So we preach Christ to everyone. With all possible wisdom we warn and teach them in order to bring each one into God's presence as a mature individual in union with Christ.

We urge you, our friends, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.