19 Have you been thinking all this time that we are defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and all these things, dear friends, are for your edification. 20 For I am afraid lest somehow when I[a] arrive, I will not find you as I want, and I may be found by you as you do not want. I am afraid[b] lest somehow there will be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, pride, disorder. 21 I am afraid lest when I[c] come again my God will humiliate me in your presence[d], and I will grieve over many of those who sinned previously and have not repented because of their impurity and sexual immorality and licentiousness that they have practiced.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:20 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrive”) which is understood as temporal
  2. 2 Corinthians 12:20 The words “I am afraid” are not in the Greek text, but are an understood repetition from the previous clause
  3. 2 Corinthians 12:21 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“come”) which is understood as temporal
  4. 2 Corinthians 12:21 Literally “with you”

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God(A) as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends,(B) is for your strengthening.(C) 20 For I am afraid that when I come(D) I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be.(E) I fear that there may be discord,(F) jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,(G) slander,(H) gossip,(I) arrogance(J) and disorder.(K) 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved(L) over many who have sinned earlier(M) and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery(N) in which they have indulged.

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19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

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