²³ I call God as my witness^(A)—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you^(B) that I did not return to Corinth.

²⁰ For I am afraid that when I come^(A) I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be.^(B) I fear that there may be discord,^(C) jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,^(D) slander,^(E) gossip,^(F) arrogance^(G) and disorder.^{(H) 21} I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved^(I) over many who have sinned earlier^(J) and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery^(K) in which they have indulged.

¹⁰ This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh^(A) in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.^(B)