And whether we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation, which showeth its power in enabling you to bear patiently the same sufferings which we also endure; and our hope is steadfast in your behalf; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort and salvation,

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not of us;

in the word of truth, in the power of God, by the weapons of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

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

For behold this very thing, that your sorrow had respect to God; what earnestness it wrought in you; yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what longing desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what readiness to punish! In every thing ye showed yourselves to be pure in the matter.

for according to their power, I bear witness, and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

as it is written: "He dispersed abroad, he gave to the poor; his righteousness remaineth for ever."

Would that ye could bear with me in a little folly! and indeed ye do bear with me.

For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy; for I espoused you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ;

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye did not receive, or another gospel, which ye did not accept, well might ye bear with it.

For ye bear with fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise;

for ye bear with it, if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one smites you on the face.

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God; for we also are weak in him, but we shall live together with him by the power of God toward you.

Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not in order that we may appear approved, but that ye may do what is good, though we be as unapproved.

For we have no power against the truth, but for the truth.

For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong; this also we pray for, even your perfection.

For this cause I write these things while absent, that when present I may not use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord gave me for edification, and not for destruction.