because as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation through Christ also abounds.

And our hope is stedfast in your behalf; knowing that, as you are the partakers of the sufferings, so you are also of the consolation.

as you have also known us in part, because we are your glorying, as you ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

For we are not as many, corrupting the word of God: but as of purity, but as from God, we speak in Christ, in the presence of God.

Do we again begin to commend ourselves? or whether have we need of commendatory letters to you or from you, as some do?

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

and not as Moses put the veil on his face, in order that the sons of Israel might not look forward to the end of that which was transitory.

But we all, with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Therefore having this ministry, as we have obtained mercy, we faint not;

as that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their transgressions to them, even having placed in us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore we are embassadors in behalf of Christ, as God is intreating you through us; we pray you in behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God.

but in everything commending ourselves, as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulations, in straits, in difficulties,

through glory and dishonor, through evil report and good report; as deceivers, and true;

as being unknown, and perfectly known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and not killed;

as sorrowing, and always rejoicing; as poor, and making many rich; as having nothing, and possessing all things.

But as I speak to children, you indeed receive this reward.

And what harmony has the temple of God with idols? for we are the temple of the living God; as God said; I will live in them, and walk about among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

because if I have gloried with him in anything over you, I wag not made ashamed; but as I spoke all things to you in truth, so our rejoicing over Titus was true.

and not as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us through the will of God:

that we should exhort Titus, that as he formerly began it, he may indeed also complete this grace unto you.

But as in every thing you abound, in faith, and in word, and knowledge, and in all zeal, and in divine love from you in us, that you may also abound in this philanthropy.

but now indeed complete the work; in order that as there was a promptitude of willing, there shall also be a completion out of your ability.

as has been written, He that had much did not super-abound; and he that had little did not lack.

But I sent the brethren, in order that our boasting which is in your behalf may not be in vain in this region; in order that, as I was saying, your were ready:

Therefore I considered it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they may come to you beforehand, and perfect your preannounced benefaction, that it may be ready, as a benefaction, not as a stingy contribution.

As each one has predetermined in his heart; not of reluctance, or of constraint: for God loves the hilarious giver.

But God is able to make all grace abound unto you; in order that, always having all sufficiency in every thing, you may abound unto every good work: as has been written,

but I pray, that being present I may not be bold with the confidence with which I consider myself bold towards certain ones who regard us as walking about according to the flesh.

Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If any has trusted to himself that he belongs to Christ, let him again consider this in reference to himself, that as he belongs to Christ, so do we also.

in order that I may not seem as it were to terrify you by my letters.

Let such a one consider this, that, such as we are in word by our letters while absent, such we really are in work being present.

For not as not reaching unto you do we stretch ourselves, for we have advanced in the gospel of Christ even unto you:

but I fear, lest, as the serpent beguiled Eve by his craftiness, your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity which is in Christ.

But what I am doing, I indeed will do, in order that I may cut off occasion from those wishing occasion, in order that in whatsoever they may glory, they may be found even as we are.

Then it is no great wonder if his ministers are transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose, end shall be according to their works.

Again I say, Let no one consider me to be a fool; but if not, receive me as a fool, in order that I may indeed glory some little.

What I say, I am not saying according to the Lord, but as it were in folly, in this confidence of glorying.

I speak according to disparagement, as that we are weak; but in whatsoever any one is bold, (I speak it in folly,) I am bold also.

Are they the ministers of Christ? (I speak as a mad man,) I am more; in labors more abundantly, in stripes more abundantly, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often;

For I fear lest, having come, I may not find you as I wish, and may not be found by you as you wish; lest perhaps strife, jealousy, animosities, selfseekings, calumniations, eavesdroppings, inflations, outfallings, are among you;

I have told you beforehand, and I am speaking to you in advance, as being present the second time, even now absent, that, if I may come to you again, I will not spare those who have previously sinned, and all the rest;

But we are praying unto God, that he may do you no evil, not in order that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is good, and we may be as disapproved.