so you must do the opposite, freely forgive and comfort him, to keep him from being overwhelmed by his excessive sadness.

to keep us from being worsted by Satan, for we know what his intentions are.

Indeed, I am the fragrance of Christ to God, alike for those who are being saved and for those who are perishing;

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.

always being persecuted, but not deserted; always getting a knockdown, but never a knockout;

always being exposed to death as Jesus was, so that in my body the life of Jesus may be clearly shown.

For all the time I continue to live I am being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that in my mortal lower nature the life of Jesus may be clearly shown.

To keep my ministry from being found fault with, I am trying not to put a single hindrance in anybody's way.

with earnest entreaty, they kept on begging me for the favor of sharing in this service that is being rendered to God's people.

Not only that, but he has been selected by the churches to travel with me for this gracious contribution which is being raised by me, so that it may turn out for the glory of the Lord and a proof of my readiness to serve.

I am arranging it so that no one can blame me in the matter of this munificent fund that is being handled by me.

It is really superfluous for me to write to you about this service which is being rendered to God's people,

to keep me -- not to mention you -- from being humiliated for having such confidence in you, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready.

and when I was with you and needed money, I never burdened a single one of you for a cent, for the brothers came from Macedonia and supplied what I needed. And so I kept myself, as I shall always do, from being a burden to you in any way.

Who is weak without my being weak too? Who is caused to fall without my being fired with indignation?

So, to keep me from being over-elated, there was sent upon me a physical disease, sharp as a piercing stake, a messenger of Satan, to continue afflicting me, and so to keep me, I repeat, from being over-elated.

But let it be granted, you say, that I never received from you financial support, yet, you say, by being a trickster I cheated you by my cunning.