8. You already have what you want! You’ve already become rich! You’ve become kings without us! I wish you really were kings so that we could be kings with you.
9. As I see it, God has placed us apostles last in line, like people condemned to die. We have become a spectacle for people and angels to look at.
10. We have given up our wisdom for Christ, but you have insight because of Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
11. To this moment, we are hungry, thirsty, poorly dressed, roughly treated, and homeless.
12. We wear ourselves out doing physical labor. When people verbally abuse us, we bless them. When people persecute us, we endure it.
13. When our reputations are attacked, we remain courteous. Right now we have become garbage in the eyes of the world and trash in the sight of all people.
14. I’m not writing this to make you feel ashamed but to instruct you as my dear children.
15. You may have countless Christian guardians, but you don’t have many ⌊spiritual⌋ fathers. I became your father in the Christian life by telling you the Good News about Christ Jesus.
16. So I encourage you to imitate me.
17. That’s why I’ve sent Timothy to you to help you remember my Christian way of life as I teach it everywhere in every church. Timothy is my dear child, and he faithfully does the Lord’s work.
18. Some of you have become arrogant because you think I won’t pay you a visit.
19. If it’s the Lord’s will, I’ll visit you soon. Then I’ll know what these arrogant people are saying and what power they have.
20. God’s kingdom is not just talk, it is power.