Mace(i)
8 You have already a sufficiency, you already abound, you live like princes in our absence: and would to God you did reign, that we too might have the advantage of your administration.
9 for it seems as if God had exposed us apostles the last upon the stage, as persons appointed to death. for we are made a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.
10 we are made fools for our attachment to Christ, while you, who are christians too, still pass for the wise: we are in poverty, but you are in power: you meet with esteem, but we find contempt.
11 to this very day we suffer both hunger, thirst, and penury: we are buffeted from place to place, as vagabonds:
12 we are fatigu'd by our manual toil: when reviled, we pray: when persecuted, we don't repine:
13 and when we are defamed, we intreat: in a word, we are look'd upon as the dregs and scum of mankind, even to this day.
14 This I don't write to give you any confusion, but by way of remonstrance, to you who are my dear children.
15 for though you may have ten thousand christian preceptors, you cannot have many fathers; since it was I that first instructed you in the gospel of Christ Jesus:
16 and therefore I intreat you, to copy after me.
17 'tis for this end I have sent you Timothy, who is my dear disciple, and a faithful christian, who will inform you how I behave my self in every church where I teach the gospel of Christ.
18 Some make their boast as if I would not come to you.