Therefore, we are always of good cheer, and know well that as long as we are at home in the body we are absent from God.

Nevertheless we are of good comfort, and had rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

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.

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.

I told you before, and tell you before, and as I said when I was present with you the second time, so write I now, being absent, to them which in time past have sinned, and to all others: that if I come again, I will not spare;

Therefore write I these things being absent, lest when I am present I should use sharpness according to the power which the Lord hath given me, to edify, and not to destroy.