For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, of the trouble which befell us in Asia, that we were exceedingly pressed, above our strength, so that we despaired even of life.

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

As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, as ye also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And in this confidence I was minded to come to you before, that ye might have had a second benefit, And to pass by you into Macedonia,

Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy; for by faith ye have stood.

And I wrote thus to you, that I might not when I come have grief from those for whom I ought to rejoice; being persuaded concerning you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

For from much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that ye might be grieved, but that ye might know the abundant love which I have toward you.

And if any have caused grief, he hath grieved me but in part, that I may not overburden you all.

Such trust have we in God through Christ.

Therefore having this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not: But have renounced the hidden things of shame,

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

according to what is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken, we also believe, and therefore speak:

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

We do not again recommend ourselves to you; but we give you an occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have something to answer them, who glory in appearance, and not in heart.

So that we from this time know no one after the flesh; yea, if we have known even Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

(For he saith, I have heard thee in an acceptable time, and in a day of salvation have I succoured thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Receive us. We have hurt no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

I speak not, to condemn you; for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts, to live and to die with you.

For behold, this very thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly manner, what diligence it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge? In all things ye have approved yourselves to be pure in this matter.

I rejoice therefore, that I have confidence in you in all things.

And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun a year ago, not only to do, but also to do it willingly.

Now therefore compleat the work, that as there was a ready will, so there may be also a performance, in proportion to what ye have.

And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise in the gospel is through all the churches: (And not only so,

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, through his great confidence in you.

Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you on this head should be made vain, that, as I said, ye may be ready;

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

If indeed he that cometh preach 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 accepted, ye might well bear with him.

For if I am unskilful in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly manifest to you in all things.

Have I committed an offence in humbling myself, that ye might be exalted, because I have preached the gospel of God to you at free cost?

For the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied my want; and I have in all things kept myself from being burdensom, and will keep myself.

Thrice I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I have been shipwrecked, a day and a night I passed in the deep: In journeyings often,

I am become a fool in boasting; but ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing have I fallen short of the very chief apostles, though I am nothing.

and I should mourn over many of them who had sinned before, and have not repented of the uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness, which they have committed.