But he that gives seed to the sower, will also give bread to the eater, and multiply your sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:

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,

I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and softness of Christ, which when I am present among you, am of no reputation, but am bold toward you being absent.

But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

Of course, we are living in the world, but we do not wage war in a world-like way.

For the weapons of our war are not carnal things, but things mighty in God to cast down strongholds;

If, however, I were to boast more loudly concerning the authority which the Lord gave me (not to cast you down, but to build you up), I should have no cause for shame.

[But I forbear,] that I may not seem as though I would terrify you by epistles.

"For the epistles," saith he, "are sore and strong: but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech homely."

But let such a one know this, that as we are in word by letters, when absent, such also shall we be in fact when present.

I do not indeed venture to class or compare myself with certain individuals who approve of themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they do not show good sense.

But we will not rejoice above measure: but according to the quantity of the measure which God hath distributed unto us, a measure that reacheth even unto you.

I do not indulge in extravagant boasts over work done by others, but I do hope that as your faith increases, my influence may be immensely enlarged through you,

But let the man who boasts, boast about the Lord.

For he that praiseth himself, is not allowed: but he whom the Lord praiseth.

O that ye were bearing with me a little of the folly, but ye also do bear with me:

But I fear, lest as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, even so your wits should be corrupt from the singleness that is in Christ.

But I suppose that I fall nothing short of the very chief apostles.

But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

But perhaps I did wrong in taking a humble place that you might have a high one ??I mean, in preaching the gospel of God to you for nothing!

But the truth of Christ in me, this boasting of mine shall never be stopped in the boundaries of Greece.

But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

So it is nothing strange if his servants also masquerade as servants of uprightness. But their doom will fit their actions.

I repeat, no one should think me a fool, but if you do, show me at least the patience you would show a fool, and let me have my little boast like the others.

That I speak, I speak it not after the ways of the Lord: but as it were foolishly, while we are now come to boasting.

To my shame I must admit that I was too weak for that sort of thing. But whatever anyone else dares to boast of?? am playing the part of a fool?? will dare to boast of too.

Are they the Messiah's servants? I am insane to talk like this, but I am a far better one! I have been involved in far greater efforts, far more imprisonments, countless beatings, and have faced death more than once.

Five times the Jews gave me forty blows but one.

many times on journeys, [exposed to] danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own countrymen, danger from the Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger on the sea, danger among those posing as believers;

Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, but I burn with indignation?

But if it behooves me to glory, I will glory in those things appertaining to my infirmities.

but I was lowered in a basket from an opening in the wall, and got out of his clutches.

I have to boast. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations given me by the Lord.

I know a man in union with Christ fourteen years ago -- whether in the body or out of it, I do not know, but God knows -- who was caught up to the third heaven.

Yes, I know that this man -- whether in or out of the body, I do not know, but God knows --

On this man's account I am ready to boast, but about myself I will boast only of my weaknesses.

Though if I do choose to boast, I will not be such a fool, for I will only be telling the truth. But I will refrain from it, for I do not want anyone to be influenced by the wonderful character of these revelations to think more of me than is justified by my words or conduct.

But, so that I would not become too conceited over the tremendous revelations [I received], a "thorn in the flesh" was given to me as a messenger from Satan to torment me. [Note: This "thorn" was probably some physical handicap, possibly defective eyesight. See Gal. 4:14-15; 6:11].

but He said to me, "My spiritual strength is sufficient, for it is only by means of conscious weakness that perfect power is developed."

I have been making a fool of myself, but you forced me to do it, when you ought to have been expressing your approval of me. For I am not a bit inferior to your superfine apostles, even if I am nobody!

The signs of an apostle were performed with great endurance among you—not only signs but also wonders and miracles.

For what is there in which you were made less than the other churches, but in the one thing that I was not a trouble to you? Let me have forgiveness for this wrong.

Behold now, the third time, I am ready to come unto you, and yet will I not be grievous unto you. For I seek not yours, but you. Also the children ought not to lay up for the fathers and mothers: but the fathers and mothers for the children.

But I will spend and be expended most gladly for your lives. If I love you much more, am I to be loved less?

But be it that I grieved you not: nevertheless I was crafty and took you with guile.

But did I make a gain of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves? We speak in Christ in the sight of God. But we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

seeing that ye seek experience of Christ which speaketh in me, which among you is not weak, but is mighty in you.

And verily, though it came of weakness that he was crucified, yet liveth he through the power of God: and we no doubt are weak in him; but we shall live with him, by the might of God among you.

Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; bring yourselves to the proof; are you so little acquainted with yourselves, as not to know whether Jesus Christ be in you? but if you are destitute of proofs,

But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

I desire before God that ye do none evil, not that we should seem commendable: but that ye should do that which is honest, and let us be counted as lewd persons.

We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong, and we pray for this: your maturity.

I am writing thus to you in absence, so that when I do come I may not have to deal sharply with you; I have the Lord's authority for that, but he gave it to me for building you up, not for demolishing you.