For I wrote to you out of great distress and with an anguished heart, and with many tears, not to cause you sorrow but to make you realize the [overflowing] love which I have especially for you.

but we commend ourselves in every way as servants of God: in great endurance, in sufferings, in hardships, in distresses,

Therefore, since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God.

Great is my confidence in you; great is my pride and boasting on your behalf. I am filled [to the brim] with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in spite of all our trouble.

We are taking precaution so that no one will [find anything with which to] discredit us in our administration of this generous gift.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.