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

Who consoleth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to console those who are in any tribulation, through the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.

Because, as the sufferings of Christ abound toward us, so through Christ our consolation also abounds.

But, whether we be in tribulation, it is for your consolation and salvation; or, whether we are consoled, it is for your consolation, which is effective in the endurance of the same sufferings which we also suffer;

and our hope in your behalf is steadfast, knowing that, as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so are ye of the consolation also.

For we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning our tribulation which befell us in Asia; that we were exceedingly weighed down beyond our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

Who delivered us out of so great a death, and will still deliver: on Whom we have set our hope, that He will also still deliver;

ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the mercy bestowed upon us by means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom, but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

as also ye did acknowledge in part, that we are your theme of boasting, as ye also will be ours in the day of our Lord Jesus.

But, as God is faithful, our word to you is not "Yea" and "Nay."

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, Who was preached among you through us??hrough me and Sylvanus and Timothy??as not "Yea" and "Nay," "Nay," but in Him is "Yea."

For however many are the promises of God, in Him is the "Yea"; wherefore, also, through Him is the "Amen," to the glory of God through us.

Now He Who confirmeth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;

Who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

But I invoke God as a witness upon my soul, that, as sparing you, I came not yet to Corinth.

For, if I make you sorry, who, indeed, is he that makes me glad, but he that is made sorry by me?

And I wrote this very thing, that I might not, when I came, have sorrow from those of whom I ought to have joy; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

But thanks be to God, Who always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of His knowledge in every place;

to the one class a savor of death unto death, and to the other a savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

For we are not as the many, making merchandise of the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.

Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or need we, as do some, commendatory letters to you, or from you?

being made manifest that ye are Christ's epistle ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.

not that we are sufficient of ourselves to reckon anything as from ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God;

Who also qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive.

for, if that which is passing away comes through glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

Having, therefore, such hope, we use great boldness of speech;

and not as Moses, who put a veil over his face, that the sons of Israel might not look steadily to the end of that which was passing away.

But their minds were unimpressible; for until this day upon the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted; which in Christ is done away.

But, until this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their heart.

But, whensoever it shall return to the Lord, the veil is taken away.