For as the afflictions of Christ are plenteous in us: even so is our consolation plenteous by Christ.

Whether we be troubled for your consolation and salvation, which salvation showeth her power in that ye suffer the same afflictions which we also suffer; or whether we be comforted for your consolation and salvation:

yet our hope is steadfast for you inasmuch as we know how, that as ye have your part in afflictions, so shall ye be partakers of consolation.

Brethren, I would not have you ignorant of our trouble, which happened unto us in Asia. For we were grieved out of measure passing strength, so greatly that we despaired even of life.

by the help of your prayer for us: That by the means of many occasions, thanks may be given of many on our behalf, for the grace given unto us.

even as ye have found us partly, for we are your rejoicing, even as ye are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

God is faithful: For our preaching unto you, was not "yea" and "nay."

For God's son Jesus Christ which was preached among you by us - that is to say, by me and Silvanus and Timothy - was not "yea" and "nay": but in him it was "Yea."

For all the promises of God, in him are "Yea": and are in him "Amen," unto the laud of God through us.

For it is God which establisheth us and you in Christ, and hath anointed us,

I call God for a record unto my soul, that for to favor you withal, I came not any more unto Corinth.

Not that we be lords over your faith: but helpers of your joy. For by faith ye stand.

For if I make you sorry: who is it that should make me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?

For in great affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears: not to make you sorry, but that ye might perceive the love which I have most specially unto you.

For this cause verily did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye should be obedient in all things.

To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also. And verily if I forgive anything, to whom I forgave it for your sakes forgave I it, in the room of Christ,

lest Satan should prevent us. For his thoughts are not unknown unto us.

When I was come to Troas for Christ's gospel's sake - and a great door was opened unto me of the Lord -

For we are unto God the sweet savor of Christ, both among them that are saved, and also among them which perish:

For we are not as many are, which chop and change with the word of God: but even out of pureness, and by the power of God and in the sight of God, so speak we in Christ.

which hath made us able to minister the new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit. For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

If the ministration of death through the letters figured in stones was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not behold the face of Moses for the glory of countenance - which glory nevertheless is done away -

For if the ministering of condemnation be glorious: much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

For no doubt that which was there glorified is not once glorified in respect of this exceeding glory.

and do not as Moses - which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel should not see for what purpose that served, which is put away.

But their minds were blinded. For until this day remaineth the same covering, untaken away, in the old testament when they read it - which in Christ is put away:

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus to be the Lord, and preach ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

For it is God that commanded the light to shine out of darkness, which hath shined in our hearts, for to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

For we which live, are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might appear in our mortal flesh.

For we know that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us, also, by the means of Jesus, and shall set us with you;

for all things I do for your sakes, that the plenteous grace by thanks given of many, may redound to the praise of God.

For our exceeding tribulation, which is momentary and light, prepareth an exceeding and eternal weight of glory unto us,

while we look not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen. For things which are seen, are temporal: but things which are not seen are eternal.

For as long as we are in this tabernacle, we sigh and are grieved: for we would not be unclothed: but would be clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

He that hath ordained us for this thing, is God: which very same hath given unto us the earnest of the spirit.

For we walk in faith and see not.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every man may receive the works of his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Seeing, then, that we know how the Lord is to be feared, we fare fair with men. For we are known well enough unto God. I trust also that we are known in your consciences.

For if we be too fervent, to God are we too fervent: if we keep measure, for your cause keep we measure.

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, if one be dead for all, that then are all dead:

and that he died for all, because that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves: but unto him which died for them and rose again.

For God was in Christ, and made agreement between the world and himself, and imputed not their sins unto them: and hath committed to us the preaching of the atonement.

for he hath made him to be sin for us, which knew no sin, that we by his means should be that righteousness which before God is allowed.

For he saith, "I have heard thee in a time accepted: and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee." Behold, now is that well accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

Set yourselves therefore at large, and bear not a stranger's yoke with the unbelievers. For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? What company hath light with darkness?

Seeing that we have such promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and grow up to full holiness in the fear of God.

I speak not this to condemn you: for I have showed you before that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side: Outward was fighting, inward was fear.

And not with his coming only: but also with the consolation wherewith he was comforted of you. For he told us your desire, your mourning, your fervent mind to me ward: So that I now rejoice the more.

Wherefore though I made you sorry with a letter I repent not: though I did repent. For I perceive that that same Epistle made you sorry though it were but for a season.

For ye sorrowed godly: so that in nothing were ye hurt by us. For godly sorrow causeth repentance, unto salvation not to be repented of: when worldly sorrow causeth death.

Behold what diligence this godly sorrow that ye took hath wrought in you: yea it caused you to clear yourselves. It caused indignation, it caused fear, it caused desire, it caused a fervent mind, it caused punishment. For in all things ye have showed yourselves that ye were clear in that matter.

Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that did hurt, neither for his cause that was hurt: but that our good mind which we have toward you in the sight of God, might appear unto you

Therefore we are comforted, because ye are comforted: yea and exceedingly the more joyed we, for the joy that Titus had: because his spirit was refreshed of you all.

I am therefore not now ashamed, though I boasted myself to him of you. For as all things which I preached unto you are true, even so is our boasting - that I boasted myself to Titus withal - found true.

And now is his inward affection more abundant toward you, when he remembereth the obedience of every one of you: how with fear and trembling ye received him.

For to their powers - I bear them record - yea and beyond their power, they were willing of their own accord,

And this they did, not as we looked for; but gave their own selves first to the Lord, and after unto us by the will of God:

Ye know the liberality of our Lord Jesus Christ, which though he were rich, yet for your sakes became poor: that ye through his poverty might be made rich.

And I give counsel hereto: For this is expedient for you, which began - not to do only, but also to will - a year ago.

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

For he accepted the request. Yea, rather he was so well willing, that of his own accord came unto you.

For this we eschew, that any man should rebuke us in this plenteous distribution that is ministered by us,

and therefore make provision for honest things, not in the sight of God only, but also in the sight of men.

hath caused me this to do: partly for Titus' sake - which is my fellow, and helper as concerning you - partly because of others which are our brethren, and the messengers of the congregations, and the glory of Christ.

Of the ministering to the saints, it is but superfluous for me to write unto you:

for I know your readiness of mind, whereof I boast myself unto them of Macedonia, and say that Achaia was prepared a year ago, and your ferventness hath provoked many.

Wherefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, to come before hand unto you, for to prepare your good blessing promised afore, that it might be ready: so that it be a blessing, and not a defrauding.

And let every man do according as he hath purposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity. For God loveth a cheerful giver.

as it is written, "He that dispersed abroad and hath given to the poor, his righteousness remaineth for ever."

He that findeth the sower seed, shall minister bread for food, and shall multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness - that on all parts

For the office of this ministration, not only supplieth the need of the saints: but also is abundant herein, that for this laudable ministering, thanks might be given to God of many,

which praise God for the obedience of your professing the gospel of Christ, and for your singleness, in distributing to them, and to all men.

And in their prayers to God for you, long after you, for the abundant grace of God given unto you.

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

For the weapons of our war are not carnal things, but things mighty in God to cast down strongholds;

"For the epistles," saith he, "are sore and strong: but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech homely."

For we cannot find in our hearts to make ourselves of the number of them, or to compare ourselves to them, which laud themselves. Nevertheless, while they measure themselves with themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they understand nought.

For we stretch not out ourselves beyond measure as though we had not reached unto you. For even unto you have we come with the gospel of Christ,

For he that praiseth himself, is not allowed: but he whom the Lord praiseth.

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. For I coupled you to one man, to make you a chaste virgin to Christ:

But I fear, lest as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, even so your wits should be corrupt from the singleness that is in Christ.

For if he that cometh to you preach another Jesus than him whom we preached, or if ye receive another spirit than that which ye have received, either another gospel than that ye have received; ye might right well have been content.

And when I was present with you and had need, I was grievous to no man. For that which was lacking unto me, the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I kept myself that I should not be grievous to you: and so will I keep myself.

For these false apostles are deceitful workers, and fashion themselves like unto the apostles of Christ.

And no marvel, for Satan himself is changed into the fashion of an angel of light.

For ye suffer fools gladly because that ye yourselves are wise.

For ye suffer even if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour, if a man take, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

And beside the things which outwardly happen unto me, I am cumbered daily and do care for all congregations.

The God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

It is not expedient for me, no doubt, to rejoice; Nevertheless I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

and yet though I would rejoice I should not be a fool, for I would say the truth. Nevertheless I spare, lest any man should think of me above that he seeth me to be, or heareth of me.

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

and he said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee. For my strength is made perfect through weakness." Very gladly therefore will I rejoice of my weakness, that the strength of Christ may dwell in me.

Therefore have I delectation in infirmities, in rebukes, in need, in persecutions, in anguish, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

I am made a fool in boasting myself. Ye have compelled me: I ought to have been commended of you. For in nothing was I inferior unto the chief apostles, though I be nothing:

For what is it wherein ye were inferiors unto other congregations? Except it be therein that I was not grievous unto you. Forgive me this wrong done unto you.

Behold now, the third time, I am ready to come unto you, and yet will I not be grievous unto you. For I seek not yours, but you. Also the children ought not to lay up for the fathers and mothers: but the fathers and mothers for the children.

I will very gladly bestow, and will be bestowed for your souls: though the more I love you, the less I am loved again.

Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves? We speak in Christ in the sight of God. But we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.