⁴ Fathers,^[a] do not exasperate your children;^(A) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.^(B)

¹⁴ Now I am ready to visit you for the third time,^(A) and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents,^(B) but parents for their children.^(C)

⁷ Instead, we were like young children^[a] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,^{(A) 8} so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God^(B) but our lives as well.^(C)

¹¹ For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,^(A)

¹¹ He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble^(A) on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?^{(B) 12} Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant,^(C) to the land you promised on oath^(D) to their ancestors?^(E)