Paul, by the will of God an apostle of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is at Corinth, with all God's people all over Greece:

because you are helping me by your prayers for me, so that thanks to God will be given by many on my behalf for God's gracious gift to me in answer to the prayers of many.

For my boast is this, to which my conscience testifies, that before the world, but especially before you, I have acted from pure motives and in sincerity before God, not depending on worldly wisdom but on God's unmerited favor.

For God's Son, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us, Silvanus, Timothy, and me, did not become a "Yes" that might mean "No."

Now who is qualified for such a task? I am, for I am not a peddler of God's message, like the most of them, but like a man of sincerity, like a man that is sent from God and living in His presence, in union with Christ I speak His message.

So, because I hold a place in this ministry and that because I have had God's mercy shown me, I never give up.

On the other hand, I have renounced all underhanded, disgraceful methods; I neither practice cunning nor do I tamper with God's message, but by clear and candid statements of truth I try to commend myself to every human conscience in God's sight.

For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in my heart, to give me the light of the knowledge of God's glory, reflected on the face of Christ.

But I am keeping this jewel in an earthen jar, to prove that its surpassing power is God's, not mine.

For if I did go crazy, it was for God's glory; and if I am keeping my head cool, it is for your good.

As God's fellow-worker I beg you too not to accept God's favor and throw it away.

I am glad of it now, not because you had such sorrow, but because your sorrow led you to repentance, for you took your sorrow in accordance with the will of God, so that you should not suffer any loss at all from me.

Now I am going to tell you, brothers, of God's spiritual blessing which was given in the churches of Macedonia,

with earnest entreaty, they kept on begging me for the favor of sharing in this service that is being rendered to God's people.

They did not do as I expected but even more; they first by God's will gave themselves to the Lord, and then to me;

It is really superfluous for me to write to you about this service which is being rendered to God's people,

Because the service rendered by this sacred offering is not only fully supplying the needs of God's people, but it is also running over with many thanks to God for it.

and so in their prayers for you they will continue longing for you, because of God's surpassing favor shown you.

All God's people wish to be remembered to you.