Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God.

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead:

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silas and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God;

Moreover I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Now thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the fragrance of his knowledge by us in every place.

For we are unto God a sweet fragrance of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

For we are not as many, who corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Since you are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.

And such trust have we through Christ toward God:

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

In whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many increase to the glory of God.

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Now he that has made us for the same thing is God, who also has given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may be recompensed for the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad.

Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be in our right mind, it is for your cause.

And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

That is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.

For he has made him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.

But in all things presenting ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Nevertheless God, who comforts those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

Therefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause who had done the wrong, nor for his cause who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

Moreover, brethren, we want you to know of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

And this they did, not as we expected, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

But thanks be to God, who put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, who causes through us thanksgiving to God.

For the administration of this service not only supplies the need of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

While by the proof of this ministry they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

And by their prayer for you, who long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)

Casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

But we will not boast of things beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the field which God has distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

Have I committed an offense in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

Why? because I love you not? God knows.

But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them who desire occasion; that when they glory, they may be found even as we.

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forevermore, knows that I lie not.

I knew a man in Christ fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) such a one caught up to the third heaven.

And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;)

Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall mourn over many who have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have committed.

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

Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that you should do that which is honest, though we be as failures.

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be restored, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.