Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy the brother, to the church of God which is in Corinth, with all the holy who are in all Achaia:

who comforteth us in all our distress, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any distress by the comfort wherewith we are ourselves comforted by God;

And whether we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation, which showeth its power in enabling you to bear patiently the same sufferings which we also endure; and our hope is steadfast in your behalf; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort and salvation,

knowing that as ye are sharers in the sufferings, so also ye will be sharers in the comfort.

as also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your glorying, as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

not that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy. For in respect to faith ye stand firm.

For to this end also I wrote, that I might know by putting it to the proof, whether ye are obedient in all things.

that Satan might not gain an advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

For we are to God a sweet odor of Christ among those who are being saved, and those who are perishing;

to the latter we are the odor of death, producing death; and to the former the odor of life, producing life. And who is sufficient for these things?

For we are not as the many, who adulterate the word of God; but as from sincerity, but as from God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

Are we beginning again to recommend ourselves? Or do we need, like some others, letters of recommendation to you, or letters of recommendation from you?

Ye are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men;

since ye are manifestly shown to be a letter of Christ by means of our service, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not on tablets of stone, but on fleshly tablets of the heart.

not that we are able of ourselves to think anything, as from ourselves; but our ability is from God;

But we all with unveiled face beholding in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Lord, the Spirit.

Therefore, having this ministry through the mercy we received, we are not fainthearted;

For we who live are continually delivered up to death for Jesus sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

For all things are for your sakes, that the grace abounding by means of the greater number may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

For which cause we are not fainthearted; but though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are but for a time; but the things which are not seen are ever lasting.

For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened; inasmuch as we do not desire to be unclothed, but to be clothed upon, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

We have courage, therefore, always, and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord;

and are well pleased rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

For we are not again commending ourselves to you, but giving you occasion to glory on our behalf; that ye may have somewhat to answer those who glory in outward appearance, and not in heart.

For whether we were beside ourselves, it was for God; or whether we are in our sound mind, it is for you.

And all things are from God, who reconciled us to himself by Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;

We then are ambassadors for Christ; as though God were exhorting you by us, in behalf of Christ we entreat you, Be reconciled to God.

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God said: "I will dwell among them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

I am not saying this to condemn you; for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die with you and to live with you.

But God, that comforteth those who are brought low, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

since we are careful of this, that no one should blame us in our management of this abundant liberality;

As to Titus, he is my partner and fellowlaborer for you; as to our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

while ye are enriched in everything to all liberality, which worketh out through us thanksgiving to God;

(for the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds,)

For his letters, saith one, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

Let such a one count upon this, that such as we are in word by letters when absent, such will we be also in deed when present.

For we do not venture to reckon ourselves among, or compare ourselves with, some of those who commend themselves; but they, measuring themselves among themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not wise.

But we will not boast of things that are without our measure, but according to the measure of the line which God allotted us,a measure to reach even to you.

not boasting of things that are without measure, in other mens labors, but having hope, when your faith is increased, that our line will through you be still further extended,

For such are false apostles, deceitful workmen, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

For ye bear with fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise;

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abrams offspring? So am I.

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as beside myself,) I am more; in labors more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often;

Have ye been thinking this long time that we are defending ourselves to you? It is before God in Christ that we are speaking; but all things, beloved, for your edification.

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God; for we also are weak in him, but we shall live together with him by the power of God toward you.

Try yourselves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, that Christ Jesus is in you, unless ye are unapproved?

But I trust that ye shall know, that we are not unapproved.

For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong; this also we pray for, even your perfection.