We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

“Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.

Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one.

But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.

I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?