In fact, we felt that we had received a death sentence so we would not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

This is the very reason I wrote you, so that when I did come I might not be made sad by those who should have made me happy. For I had confidence that all of you would share the joy that I have.

I had also written to you to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in every way.

In fact, that which once had glory lost its glory, because the other glory surpassed it.

For even when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest. We suffered in a number of ways. Outwardly there were conflicts, inwardly there were fears.

and not only by his arrival but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing for me, your sorrow, and your eagerness to take my side, and this made me even happier.

Now I am happy, not because you had such sorrow, but because your sorrow led you to repent. For you were sorry in a godly way, and so you were not hurt by us in any way.

This is what comforted us. In addition to our own comfort, we were even more delighted at the joy of Titus, because his spirit had been set at rest by all of you.

So we urged Titus to finish this work of kindness among you in the same way that he had started it.

I am giving you my opinion on this matter because it will be helpful to you. Last year you were not only willing to do something, but had already started to do it.

As it is written, "The person who had much did not have too much, and the person who had little did not have too little."