because, as the sufferings of the Christ do abound to us, so through the Christ doth abound also our comfort;

My hope for you is well founded; because I know that just as you, brothers, are sharers of my sufferings, so you will be sharers of my comfort too.

For I do not want you to be uninformed about the sorrow that I suffered in Asia, because I was so crushed beyond any power to endure that I was in dire despair of life itself.

Also we received an answer of death in ourselves, and that was done because we should not put our trust in ourselves, but in God, which raiseth the dead to life again -

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.

as also ye did acknowledge us in part, because we are your boast, just as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

It was because I was sure of this that I wanted to come to see you before going anywhere else, to give you a double pleasure;

So then, was I indecisive or capricious when I was [originally] planning this? Or the things I plan, do I plan in a self-serving way like a worldly man, ready to say, “Yes, yes” and “No, no” [at the same time]?

But God is faithful, because our word toward you became not, yes and no.

It is not that we are trying to rule over your faith, but rather to work with you for your joy, because you have been standing firm in the faith.

And I wrote this very [thing] in order that [when I] came, I would not experience sorrow from those who ought to have made me glad, [because I] have confidence about you all, that my joy {belongs to all of you}.

Because for this [reason] also I wrote, in order that I could know your proven character, whether you are obedient in everything.

And to whom ye forgive anything -- I also; for I also, if I have forgiven anything, to whom I have forgiven it, because of you -- in the person of Christ -- I forgive it,

I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but took my leave of them and went away into Macedonia.

because of Christ a sweet fragrance we are to God, in those being saved, and in those being lost;

because ye are manifestly seen to be the letter of Christ, of which we have been the secretaries, written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tables of stone, but on the fleshly tables of the heart.

[We say this] because we have such confidence in God through [our relationship with] Christ.

who has also qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant, which is not written but spiritual, because the written text brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

Now if the old religious service which resulted in death, although its law was carved in letters of stone, was introduced with a splendor so great that the Israelites could not keep their eyes fixed on Moses' face because of the splendor that was fading from it,

for also even that which hath been glorious, hath not been glorious -- in this respect, because of the superior glory;

Therefore, [because we] have such a hope, we use much boldness,

Besides, their minds were made dull; for to this day that same veil remains unlifted, whenever they read the Old Covenant; because it is only through union with Christ that it is removed.

And all of us, with faces uncovered, because we continue to reflect like mirrors the splendor of the Lord, are being transformed into likeness to Him, from one degree of splendor to another, since it comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

So, because I hold a place in this ministry and that because I have had God's mercy shown me, I never give up.

but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Because the god of this world has made blind the minds of those who have not faith, so that the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not be shining on them.

for not ourselves do we preach, but Christ Jesus -- Lord, and ourselves your servants because of Jesus;

because it is God who said, Out of darkness light is to shine, who did shine in our hearts, for the enlightening of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

for always are we who are living delivered up to death because of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our dying flesh,

But [because we] have the same spirit of faith in accordance with [what is] written, "I believed, therefore I spoke," we also believe, therefore we also speak,

because I know that He who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will raise me too in fellowship with you.

for the all things are because of you, that the grace having been multiplied, because of the thanksgiving of the more, may abound to the glory of God;

because I keep my eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen. For what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.

For in this one I am sighing, because I long to put on, like a robe, my heavenly body, my future home,

because when we are covered by it, we will not be found naked [i.e., without a suitable dwelling for our body].

For I who am still in my tent sigh with anxiety, because I do not want to be stripped of it, but to put on the other over it, so that what is only mortal may be absorbed in life.

Now it is God Himself who has put the finishing touches on me for this change, because He has given me the Spirit as the first installment of future bliss.

Therefore I am always of good courage, because I well know that while I am at home in the body, I am in banishment from the Lord,

Therefore, [because we] know the fear of the Lord, we are attempting to persuade people, but we are revealed to God, and I hope to be revealed in your consciences.

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

and that he died for all, because that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves: but unto him which died for them and rose again.

So I am an envoy to represent Christ, because it is through me that God is making His appeal. As one representing Christ I beg you, be reconciled to God.

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

Because God, then, will give us such rewards, dear brothers, let us make ourselves clean from all evil of flesh and spirit, and become completely holy in the fear of God.

I do not mean this for your condemnation, because, as I have said before, you have such a place in my heart that I would live with you or die with you.

and not only by his coming but by the comfort he had gotten from you, because he kept on telling me how you were longing to see me, how sorry you were, and how loyal you were to me, so that I was gladder still.

because even if I made you sorry in the letter, I do not repent -- if even I did repent -- for I perceive that the letter, even if for an hour, did make you sorry.

I am glad of it now; not because you had your feelings hurt, but because having them hurt led you to repent, for you took it as God meant you to do, so that you should not lose anything at all through me.

So, even though I wrote to you, it wasn't because of the man who did the wrong or because of the man who was hurt. Instead, I wrote to you so that your devotion to us might be made perfectly clear to you before God.

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.

because if anything to him in your behalf I have boasted, I was not put to shame; but as all things in truth we did speak to you, so also our boasting before Titus became truth,

I rejoice, because in everything I am completely confident in you.

because in spite of a terrible test of trouble, the mighty flood of their gladness mingling with the depths of their poverty has overflowed and resulted in the abundance of their liberality.

because, according to their power, I testify, and above their power, they were willing of themselves,

So, [i.e., because of your enthusiastic response to this need. See verse 10], we urged Titus, who had previously begun [taking up this collection], to help you also complete this favorable work [i.e., by finalizing it].

This say I not as commanding: but because others are so fervent, therefore prove I your love, whether it be perfect or no.

for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that because of you he became poor -- being rich, that ye by that poverty may become rich.

Now I will give you my opinion on this matter. For this is for your interest, because you were not only the first to do anything about it, but the first to want to do so; you started it a year ago.

because he has acceded to my request, or rather, because he is so enthusiastic for you, of his own accord he is off to visit you.

because I am on my guard in this, that no one should blame me, in respect to this bounty which I am administering.

I send with them another brother of ours whose devotion we have often tested in many ways, which is now greater than ever, because of his perfect confidence in you.

hath caused me this to do: partly for Titus' sake - which is my fellow, and helper as concerning you - partly because of others which are our brethren, and the messengers of the congregations, and the glory of Christ.

because I know your readiness [to help], [concerning] which I keep on boasting to the Macedonians about you, that Achaia has been ready [to help] since last year, and your zeal has stirred up the majority [of them].

Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to cause all grace to abound to you, so that in everything at all times, [because you] have enough of everything, you may overflow in every good work.

In every way you will grow richer and become even more generous, and this will cause others to give thanks to God because of us,

Because the service rendered by this sacred offering is not only fully supplying the needs of God's people, but it is also running over with many thanks to God for it.

Because your service in giving proves your love, you will be glorifying God as you obey what your confession of the Messiah's gospel demands, since you are generous in sharing with them and with everyone else.

then they will long for you and pray for you, because of the extraordinary favor God has shown you.

because the letters indeed -- saith one -- are weighty and strong, and the bodily presence weak, and the speech despicable.'

Indeed, I do not dare to count or compare myself with certain men who are always recommending themselves. But they do not show good sense, because they do continue measuring themselves with one another and comparing themselves with one another.

For we are not overextending ourselves, as [if we] had not reached you, because we have reached even as far as you with the gospel of Christ,

I am jealous of you with God's own jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to the Messiah.

Did I therein sin, because I submitted myself, that ye might be exalted? And because I preached unto you the Gospel of God freely?

When I was with you and needed something, I did not bother any of you, because our brothers who came from Macedonia supplied everything I needed. I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.

The truth of Christ is in me, because this boasting shall not be stopped in regard to me in the regions of Achaia;

Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knoweth.

Because I love you not? God knoweth. But what I do, I will do, that I may cut off the occasion from them who desire occasion, that wherein they boast, they may be found even as we.

For ye suffer fools gladly because that ye yourselves are wise.

[I have been] on journeys many times, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from [my own] people, in dangers from the Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers because of false brothers,

Besides everything else, I have a daily burden because of my anxiety about all the churches.

However, if I did want to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I am not going to do it in order to keep anyone from thinking more of me than what he sees and hears about me.

And lest I should be exalted out of measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given unto me of God unquietness of the flesh: the messenger of Satan to buffet me, because I should not be exalted out of measure.

but he has told me, "My grace is all you need, because my power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most happily boast about my weaknesses, so that the Messiah's power may rest on me.

So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I have become foolish [i.e., by my boasting], but you made me do it [i.e., in order to vindicate myself]. For I should have been commended by you [i.e., for my effective ministry there in Corinth], because I was not inferior in any way to those "super apostles" [See 11:5], even though I am nothing.

Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

I will be very glad to spend my money and myself for you. Do you love me less because I love you so much?

But let [it] be. I have not been a burden to you, but [because I] was crafty, I took you by cunning.

[I am afraid] lest [when I] come again my God will humiliate me {in your presence}, and I will grieve over many of those who sinned previously and have not repented because of their impurity and sexual immorality and licentiousness that they have practiced.

For indeed, he was crucified because of weakness, but he lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live together with him because of the power of God toward you.

Because we are able to do nothing against what is true, but only for it.

because of this, these things -- being absent -- I write, that being present, I may not treat any sharply, according to the authority that the Lord did give me for building up, and not for casting down.