For as the sufferings for the sake of Christ abound on us, so our consolation by Christ doth also abound.

And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is wrought out by the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or if we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befel us in Asia, that we were exceedingly pressed above our strength, so that we despaired even of life:

you also assisting by prayer for us, that the favor obtained for us by the prayers of many might be thankfully acknowledged by many on our account.

For this is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and pious sincerity, not with carnal wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and especially towards you.

For we write no other things to you, but what ye own and acknowledge, and I hope ye will always acknowledge.

For Jesus Christ the Son of God, who was preached among you by us, even by me, and Silvanus, and Timothy, was not yea and nay,

but was yea in Him, (for all the promises of God are in Him yea, and in Him amen,) to the glory of God by us:

not that we are lords over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

for if I grieve you, who is it that maketh me glad, but he that is grieved by me?

For through much affliction and distress of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not that ye might be grieved, but that ye might know the love with which I abound towards you.

For to this end also did I write, that I might have proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all things.

And to whom ye forgive any thing, I also forgive it: for if I have forgiven any thing, I forgave it him, to whom I did forgive it, for your sakes, in the person of Christ; that we might not be foiled by Satan:

for we are not ignorant of his devices.

For we are the sweet odor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, yea and in them that perish:

to these indeed we are an odor of death to death; to those an odor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

For we are not like many who adulterate the word of God: but as with sincerity, but as from God, and in the sight of God, we speak concerning Christ.

Who hath also fitted us to be ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.

For if the ministration of condemnation was so glorious, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory:

For if that, which was to be taken away, came with glory, much more that which abideth is glorious.

for unto this day the same veil remaineth unremoved in the reading of the old testament, which veil is taken away in Christ.

for we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for the sake of Jesus.

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

For we, who are yet living, are always exposed to death for the sake of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

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

For which cause we are not disheartened: but though our outward man decayeth, yet the inward man is renewed daily.

For our short and light affliction is working out for us an infinite and eternal weight of glory, as we aim not at the things which are visible, but invisible:

for those, which are visible, are temporary, but the invisible are eternal.

For we know that if our earthly house, which is but as a tent, were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

For we who are in this tabernacle do groan, being burthened; wherefore we desire, not to be wholly unclothed, but to put on immortality, that the mortal part may be swallowed up in life.

(for we walk by faith, not by sight,) we are confident, I say,

For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, that every one may receive for the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it were good or bad.

for we are not again recommending ourselves to you, but giving you an occasion of glorying on our account; that ye may have somewhat to answer those who glory in appearance, and not in heart.

For whether we be in extasies, it is to God: or if we be composed, it is for your benefit.

For the love of Christ constraineth us, being fully persuaded of this, that if One died for all, then were all dead.

And He died for all, that those who live might no longer live to themselves, but to Him who died for them and rose again.

We are therefore ambassadors for Christ, and as God exhorteth you by us, we intreat you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

For He hath made Him, who knew no sin, to be a sin-offering for us, that in Him we might be made righteous before God.

for He saith, "I have heard thee in an acceptable time, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee." Behold now is the acceptable time; behold now is the day of salvation.

Be not unsuitably connected with infidels: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? or what communion hath light with darkness?

and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God: as God hath said, "I will dwell in them, and I will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

and I will be a father unto you, and ye shall be to me for sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

I speak not this to condemn you: for I said before that ye are so much in our hearts that we could live and die with you.

For when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

and not only by his coming, but especially by the consolation wherewith he was comforted on your account, acquainting us with your earnest desire towards us, your grief, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced greatly.

For though I grieved you by my letter, I do not repent, though I did repent; for I perceive that that epistle grieved you, though it was but for a little while.

However, now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance; for ye were grieved after a godly manner, so that ye received no damage from us.

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

For behold this very thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly manner, what diligence it wrought in you! yea, what apology, what indignation, what fear, what earnest desire, what zeal, what revenge! by all which ye have shewn yourselves to be clear in the affair.

Wherefore if I wrote in such a manner to you, it was not merely on his account who had done the wrong, nor for his sake who had been injured; but that our care for you in the sight of God might be manifested among you.

For to their power, I bear them witness, yea and beyond their power, they contributed of their own accord:

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye by his poverty might be rich.

And herein I give my opinion: for this is to your advantage, who not only began to act, but also to be forward to it above a year ago.

For if there be first a willing mind, any me is accepted according to what he hath, not according to what he hath not.

For I do not mean that others should have relief, and you be burdened:

But thanks be to God, who put the same concern for you into the heart of Titus:

for he not only complied with the exhortation, but being more forward he went to you of his own accord.

(and not only so, but he was also chosen by the churches to accompany us with this grace, which is administered by us for the glory of the same Lord, and to shew your readiness of mind:)

Now concerning the relief intended for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

for I know your readiness of mind, which I boast of concerning you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath excited many.

Let every one give as he chuses in his own heart; not with reluctance, or constraint: for God loveth a chearful giver.

(as it is written, "He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor, his righteousness continueth for ever."

And may He, who supplieth seed to the sower, and giveth bread for food, furnish and multiply your sowing, and increase the fruits of your bounty:)

For the ministration of this service not only supplieth the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also, through many thanksgivings, to the glory of God.

(While from the experience of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and the liberality of your communication to them, and to all men.)

And in their prayer for you, who long after you because of the transcendent grace of God towards you.

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

For though we are in the flesh, we do not carry on our war according to the flesh:

(for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the demolishing of bulwarks:)

For though I should boast yet more of our authority, (which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction) I should not be ashamed:

for his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

For we presume not to number, or compare ourselves with some who recommend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are void of understanding.

For we do not stretch ourselves beyond measure, as though we were not commissioned to come unto you; for we have reached even to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ.

to preach the gospel in places beyond you; and not to boast in another's province of things ready prepared for us.

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commendeth.

For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy, having espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

For if he, that cometh to you, preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached; or if ye receive another Spirit which ye have not received, or another gospel which ye have not embraced, ye might indeed bear with him.

For I think I was not inferior to the very chiefest apostles: and if I am unskilled in speech,

I trespassed on other churches, receiving maintenance from them for your service.

And when I was present among you, and in want, I was chargeable to no one. For the brethren that came from Macedonia supplied my want: and in every thing I have kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transformed into apostles of Christ.

And no wonder: for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

For ye bear with fools willingly, being yourselves so wise:

And the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for ever, knoweth that I lye not.

For though I should incline to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I should speak truth. But I forbear least any one should think of me above what he seeth me to be, or heareth from me.

For this I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And He said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is manifested in thy weakness." With the greatest pleasure therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

And therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, and in straits for the sake of Christ: for when I am thus weak, then am I made strong.

Am I become vain in boasting? ye have forced me to it: for I ought to have been recommended by you, as I have in nothing fallen short of the very chiefest of the apostles, though in myself I am nothing.

For what is it that ye were inferior in to the rest of the churches, unless it be that I myself was not burdensome to you?--- Forgive me this injury.

Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your substance, but your selves. For children are not expected to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

And I will with the greatest pleasure spend and be spent for your souls; even though the more I love you, the less I should be loved.

Do ye then think that we are making apologies to you? No, we speak before God in Christ: and all, my beloved, for your edification.

For I am afraid least when I come, I should not find you such as I could wish, and I should be found to you such as ye would not: least there should be contentions, emulations, animosities, strifes, thwartings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: and least,

when I come again, my God should humble me among you, and I should be grieved for many of those who have sinned heretofore, and have not repented of the impurity, and fornication, and lewdness which they have practised.

For if He was crucified as from weakness, yet He now liveth by the power of God: for we also are weak in Him, but shall live with Him by the power of God manifested to you.

For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

For we rejoice when we exert not our power, and when ye are strong: as this is what we wish, even your perfection.

Therefore I write these things while absent, that when present I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction.