Bible Compass
Log inGet started
Back to the chapter

2 Corinthians 12:16

14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

Read the whole chapter

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.
KJV
But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
WEB
Even so, I myself didn’t burden you. But you might say that being crafty, I caught you with deception.
ASV
But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
DARBY
But be it so. *I* did not burden you, but being crafty I took you by guile.
BLB
But be it so, I did not burden you⁺; but being crafty, I took you⁺ by trickery.
ÅB
Men la så være at jeg ikke var dere til byrde, men jeg var listig og fanget dere med svik!
OTB
Likevel, jeg belastet dere ikke selv; men likevel, ved å være listig, fanget jeg dere med list.
B1930
Men la så være at jeg ikke var eder til byrde, men jeg var listig og fanget eder med svik!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Corinthians 1:12

    For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

    Read in context

  • 2 Corinthians 7:2

    Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

    Read in context

  • 2 Corinthians 10:2–3

    But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

    Read in context

  • 2 Corinthians 12:13

    For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

    Read in context

  • 2 Corinthians 11:9–10

    And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

    Read in context

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:3

    For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

    Read in context

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:5

    For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

    Read in context

  • 2 Corinthians 4:2

    But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

    Read in context