who has also set his seal upon us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

But I call on God as a witness against my soul, that wishing to spare you, I did not go to Corinth;

and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you when he told us of your strong affection, your grief, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced the more.

For behold this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner; what earnestness it produced in you; what defense of yourselves; what indignation; what fear; what strong affection; what zeal; what assertion of right. In all respects you have shown yourselves to be blame less in this matter.

I do not speak this as a commandment, but on account of the zeal of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

For I know your readiness of mind, on account of which I boasted of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago: and your zeal has incited very many.