Our rejoicing is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in singleness of heart and with godly pureness - and not in fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God - we have had our conversation in the world, and most of all to you-wards.

And in this confidence was I minded the other time to have come unto you, that ye might have had yet one pleasure more,

But I determined this in myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

And I wrote this same epistle unto you, lest if I came, I should take heaviness of them, of whom I ought to rejoice. Certainly this confidence have I in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

For this cause verily did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye should be obedient in all things.

For no doubt that which was there glorified is not once glorified in respect of this exceeding glory.

But their minds were blinded. For until this day remaineth the same covering, untaken away, in the old testament when they read it - which in Christ is put away:

But even unto this day, when Moses is read the veil hangeth before their hearts.

in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest should shine unto them the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, which is the image of God.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellent power of it might appear to be of God, and not of us.

For as long as we are in this tabernacle, we sigh and are grieved: for we would not be unclothed: but would be clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

He that hath ordained us for this thing, is God: which very same hath given unto us the earnest of the spirit.

I speak not this to condemn you: for I have showed you before that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

Behold what diligence this godly sorrow that ye took hath wrought in you: yea it caused you to clear yourselves. It caused indignation, it caused fear, it caused desire, it caused a fervent mind, it caused punishment. For in all things ye have showed yourselves that ye were clear in that matter.

And this they did, not as we looked for; but gave their own selves first to the Lord, and after unto us by the will of God:

Now therefore, as ye are rich in all parts, in faith, in word, in knowledge, in all ferventness, and in love, which ye have to us: even so see that ye be plenteous in this benevolence.

This say I not as commanding: but because others are so fervent, therefore prove I your love, whether it be perfect or no.

And I give counsel hereto: For this is expedient for you, which began - not to do only, but also to will - a year ago.

It is not my mind that other be set at ease, and ye brought into cumbrance: but that there be equalness now at this time,

that your abundance succor their lack at this present time of dearth - that their abundance may supply your lack; that there may be equality,

and not so only, but is also chosen of the congregations to be a fellow with us in our journey, as concerning this benevolence that is ministered by us unto the praise of the Lord, and to stir up your prompt mind.

For this we eschew, that any man should rebuke us in this plenteous distribution that is ministered by us,

hath caused me this to do: partly for Titus' sake - which is my fellow, and helper as concerning you - partly because of others which are our brethren, and the messengers of the congregations, and the glory of Christ.

Nevertheless, yet have I sent these brethren, lest our rejoicing over you should be in vain in this behalf, and that ye - as I have said - prepare yourselves,

lest peradventure if they of Macedonia come with me and find you unprepared, the boast that I made in this matter should be a shame to us: I say not unto you.

This yet remember, how that he which soweth little, shall reap little: and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously.

For the office of this ministration, not only supplieth the need of the saints: but also is abundant herein, that for this laudable ministering, thanks might be given to God of many,

This say I, lest I should seem as though I went about to make you afraid with letters.

Let him that is such, think on this wise: that as we are in words by letters when we are absent, such are we in deeds when we are present.

If the truth of Christ be in me, this rejoicing shall not be taken from me in the regions of Achaia.

Of this man will I rejoice, of myself will I not rejoice, except it be of mine infirmities -

For this thing besought I the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me,

For what is it wherein ye were inferiors unto other congregations? Except it be therein that I was not grievous unto you. Forgive me this wrong done unto you.

We are glad when we are weak, and ye strong. This also we wish for, even that ye were perfect.