Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, through the will of God, and Timothy the brother, - unto the assembly of God which is in Corinth, together with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

Who encourageth us in all our tribulation, to the end we may be able to encourage them who are in any tribulation - through means of the encouragement wherewith we, ourselves, are encouraged by God.

For as the afflictions of Christ are plenteous in us: even so is our consolation plenteous by Christ.

But, whether we are in tribulation, it is for your encouragement and salvation; whether we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which worketh inwardly by the endurance of the same sufferings which, we also, suffer; -

And so, our hope, is sure in your behalf, - knowing that, - as ye are sharers of the sufferings, so, also of the encouragement.

because you are helping me by your prayers for me, so that thanks to God will be given by many on my behalf for God's gracious gift to me in answer to the prayers of many.

For our reason for confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that with pure motives and sincerity which are from God -- not by human wisdom but by the grace of God -- we conducted ourselves in the world, and all the more toward you.

For, no other things, are we writing unto you, than what ye are either reading or even acknowledging, - I hope, moreover, that, throughout, ye will acknowledge,

According as ye have also acknowledged us, in part, - that, your theme of boasting, we are, even indeed as, ye, also shall be , ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.

When I planned this, I did not do it lightly, did I? Are my plans so fickle that I can say "Yes" and "No" at the same time?

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are, helpers, of your joy, for, by your faith, ye stand.

And I wrote this same thing to you, so that when I came, I would not be filled with sorrow by those who ought to make me glad, for I trusted in you and felt confident that my joy would be shared by all of you.

For, to this end, I also wrote, - that I might know the proof of you, whether, in all things, ye are obedient.

Lest we should be overreached by Satan, for, of his thoughts, we are not ignorant.

and to God are thanks, who at all times is leading us in triumph in the Christ, and the fragrance of His knowledge He is manifesting through us in every place,

That, of Christ, a grateful odour, are we, unto God, - in them who are being saved, and in them who are being lost:

To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

For we are not, as the many, driving a petty trade with the word of God; but, as of sincerity, but, as of God, before God, in Christ, we speak.

Are we to begin again, ourselves, to commend? or have we need, like some, of commendatory letters unto you, or from you?

Our letter, ye, are, inscribed in our hearts, noted and read by all men:

Manifesting yourselves that ye are a letter of Christ, ministered by us, - inscribed - not with ink, but with the Spirit of a Living God, not in tablets of stone, but in tablets which are hearts of flesh.

Not that, of our own selves, sufficient, are we, to reckon anything as of ourselves, but, our sufficiency, is of God; -

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

And are not just like Moses, who kept putting a veil upon his face, so that the sons of Israel should not look steadily unto the end of that which was to be done away.

But the minds of the Israelites became dull for, to this very day, the same veil remains on them [i.e., figuratively] when the Old Agreement [Scriptures] are read. It is not being revealed to them that the Old Agreement is being abolished by Christ [i.e., by His death on the cross. See Col. 2:14].

But to this day, a veil remains on their minds whenever [the writings of] Moses are read.

And, we all, with unveiled face, receiving and reflecting, the glory of the Lord, into the same image, are being transformed, from glory into glory, - even as from a Spirit that is Lord.

For this reason, because we have been made servants of this new order, through the mercy given to us, we are strong:

And, even if our glad-message is veiled, in them who are perishing, it is veiled,

Men whose minds have been blinded by the God of this Age, unbelievers as they are, so that the light from the Good News of the glory of the Christ, who is the very incarnation of God, should not shine for them.

For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus.

but this treasure is lodg'd in such earthen vessels as we are, that the exceeding efficacy of it may appear to be from God, and not from us.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.

We are always carrying around the death of Jesus in our bodies, so that the life of Jesus may be clearly shown in our bodies.

For, evermore, we, the living, unto death are being delivered, for Jesus' sake, in order that, the life also of Jesus, may be made manifest in our mortal flesh:

Thus we are constantly dying, while you are in full enjoyment of Life.

But having the same spirit of faith, as it is said in the Writings, The words of my mouth came from the faith in my heart; in the same way, our words are the outcome of our faith;

Because we are certain that he who made the Lord Jesus come back from the dead, will do the same for us, and will give us a place in his glory with you.

For, all things, are for your sakes, in order that, the favour abounding, may, through means of the greater number, cause, the thanksgiving, to superabound unto the glory of God.

Wherefore, we are not wearied: but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our short and light affliction is working out for us an infinite and eternal weight of glory, as we aim not at the things which are visible, but invisible:

So long as we are not looking out for the visible things, but for the invisible; for, the visible things, are temporary, whereas, the invisible, are age-abiding.

For we are conscious that if this our tent of flesh is taken down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in heaven.

For in this we are crying in weariness, greatly desiring to be clothed with our house from heaven:

since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.

And verily, we who are in the tent, do sigh, being weighed down, while yet we are not wishing to unclothe ourselves, but to clothe ourselves over, - in order that, what is mortal, may be swallowed up, by life.

Having good courage, therefore, at all times, and knowing that - remaining at home in the body, we are away from home from the Lord, -

By faith, are we walking, not by sight; -

We have good courage, however, and are well pleased - rather to be away from home, out of the body, and to come home, unto the Lord.

Wherefore also we are ambitious - whether at home, or away from home, to be, well-pleasing unto him.

For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].

Knowing, then, the fear of the Lord, we persuade, men, but, unto God, are manifest, - I hope, moreover, even in your consciences, that we are manifest:

Not again, ourselves, do we commend unto you, but as though an occasion we were giving unto you - something to boast of, in our behalf; that ye may have something suited unto them who, in appearance, are boasting, and not in heart.

For, whether we have been beside ourselves, it hath been for God, or, whether we are sober-minded, it is for you.

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, if one be dead for all, that then are all dead:

that they who are in a state of life should not live at their own discretion, but to the service of him who died for them, and rose again.

On the contrary, now, no longer, are we gaining it. So that, if any one is in Christ, there is a new creation! the old things, have passed away, - Lo! they have become new!

The all things, moreover, are of God, - who hath reconciled us unto himself, through Christ, and hath given, unto us, the reconciling ministry: -

We are to tell how God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not charging men's transgressions to their account, and that He has entrusted to us the Message of this reconciliation.

In behalf of Christ, therefore, are we ambassadors, - as if God were beseeching through us: we entreat, in behalf of Christ, - be reconciled unto God!

Now [because we] are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

[We are] giving no one an occasion for taking offense in anything, in order that our ministry will not have fault found [with it],

But in everything making it clear that we are the servants of God, in quiet strength, in troubles, in need, in sorrow,

[We have experienced] honor and dishonor; a bad reputation and a good one. [We have been viewed] as deceivers and yet are genuine;

as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying and yet -- see! -- we continue to live; as those who are scourged and yet not executed;

as sad, but we are always joyful; as poor, but we bestow wealth on many; as having nothing, and yet we securely possess all things.

We have spoken frankly to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are wide open.

Ye are not straitened in us, but are straitened in your hearts' affections;

Are you not become associates with infidels? but what affinity is there between virtue and vice? and what communication has light with darkness?

And what agreement hath a shrine of God with idols? For, we, are the shrine of a God, that liveth: - even as God hath said - will dwell in them, and walk, and will be their God, and, they, shall be my people.

As these promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, and perfect our holiness in the fear of God.

Unto condemnation, I am not saying this , for I have before said - In our hearts, are ye, to the end we may die together and live together.

My words to you are without fear, I am full of pride on account of you: I have great comfort and joy in all our troubles.

for also we, having come to Macedonia, no relaxation hath our flesh had, but on every side we are in tribulation, without are fightings, within -- fears;

But, he who encourageth them that are brought low, encouraged us, - even God, - by the presence of Titus.

And it is not only by his arrival that we are encouraged, but also by the encouragement which he received from you; for he tells us of your strong affection, your penitence, and your zeal on my behalf--so that I am happier still.

For you see what care was produced in you by this very sorrow of yours before God, what clearing of yourselves, what wrath against sin, what fear, what desire, what serious purpose, what punishment. In everything you have made it clear that you are free from sin in this business.

So, although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the person who did the wrong, nor for the one who was wronged, but so that you could realize before God how devoted to us you are.

Therefore we are comforted, because ye are comforted: yea and exceedingly the more joyed we, for the joy that Titus had: because his spirit was refreshed of you all.

I am therefore not now ashamed, though I boasted myself to him of you. For as all things which I preached unto you are true, even so is our boasting - that I boasted myself to Titus withal - found true.

And, his tender affections, are, much more abundantly towards you, when he calleth to mind the obedience, of you all, - how, with fear and trembling, ye gave him welcome.

how that the abundance of their rejoicing is, that they are tried with much tribulation. And thereto, though they were exceeding poor, yet have they given exceeding richly, and that in singleness.

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.

I don't mean to prescribe to you, but that the zeal of others may show you are as sincerely well-affected.

For ye are taking knowledge of the favour of our Lord Jesus Christ, - how that, for your sakes, he became destitute - although he was, rich, in order that, ye, by his destitution, might be enriched.

Then make the doing of it complete; so that as you had a ready mind, you may give effect to it as you are able.

Nor are other people to be relieved, and you to be distressed;

but burdens are to be equalized. Now your abundance at this present time present time is a supply for their want, in supply for your want; and so burdens be equalized,

And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel.

More than that, he has also been selected by the churches to travel with us while we are administering this work of kindness for the glory of the Lord and as evidence of our eagerness to help.

We are taking this precaution so no one can criticize us about this large sum administered by us.

For we are making provision for what is right, not only before the Lord but also before men.

And we are sending with them our brother whom we have tested many times in many [things] that he is diligent, but now much more diligent [because of his] great confidence in you.

As for Titus, remember that he is a partner of mine, and is also my associate in labors for you. As for the other brothers, remember that they are delegates from the churches, men in whom Christ is glorified.

Make clear then to them, as representatives of the churches, the quality of your love, and that the things which we have said about you are true.

As to the services which are being rendered to God's people, it is really unnecessary for me to write to you.

for I know how ready you are, and am always boasting about you to the Macedonians, telling them that Greece has been ready for a year past; and your zeal has been a spur to the majority of them.

So my reason for sending our Brothers is to prevent what we said about you from proving, in this particular matter, an empty boast, and to enable you to be as well prepared as I have been saying that you are.