This I don't write to give you any confusion, but by way of remonstrance, to you who are my dear children.

but as for the rest, I speak it by way of counsel, and not of command.

for I wish that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift from God, some one way, and some another.

you have met with no trials yet, but such as are common to men: and God who is faithful, will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength; but will with the temptation make a way to escape, by enabling you to bear it.

you are contesting about the superiority of your gifts: but I point out to you a more excellent way.

when I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I reasoned as a child: but when I became a man, I laid aside my childish ways.

I shall come to you, by the way of Macedonia: (for I