So that, on the contrary, ye should forgive and encourage, lest, by any means, by his excessive grief, such a one should be swallowed up.

Knowing that, he who raised up the Lord Jesus, will raise up, us also, together with Jesus, and will present us together with you.

And verily, we who are in the tent, do sigh, being weighed down, while yet we are not wishing to unclothe ourselves, but to clothe ourselves over, - in order that, what is mortal, may be swallowed up, by life.

For I know your forwardness of mind - of which, in your behalf, I am boasting unto Macedonians, that, Achaia, hath been prepared for a year past, - and, your zeal, hath stirred up the greater number of them.

Necessary, therefore, I regarded it, to exhort the brethren that they would go forward unto you, and make up beforehand your previously-promised blessing. The same, to be ready - thus, as a blessing, and not as of constraint.

Because, the ministry of this public service, is not only towards filling up the deficiencies of the saints, but also superabounding, through the thanksgiving of many, unto God, -

Yea, if, somewhat more abundantly, I should boast concerning our authority - which the Lord hath given for building up and not for pulling you down, I shall not be put to shame, -

And, being present with you, and having come short, I was not burdensome to anyone, - for, my deficiency, the brethren, coming from Macedonia, helped to make up; - and, in everything, without burden unto you, I kept, myself - and will keep!

For ye bear with it - if anyone enslaveth you, if any devoureth, if anyone taketh, if anyone lifteth himself up, if anyone, on the face, doth smite you!

Wherefore, lest I should be unduly lifted up, there was given to me a thorn o in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, - lest I should be unduly lifted up.

Lo! this third time, I am holding myself, in readiness, to come unto you, and I will not allow myself to be a burden; for I seek not yours, but you; - for, the children, ought not to lay up, for the parents, but the parents for the children; -

For I fear - lest, by any means, when I come, not such as I wish, should I find you, and, I, should be found by you, such as ye do not wish; - lest, by any means, I should find strife, jealousy, outbursts of wrath, factions, railings, whisperings, puffed up pretensions, confusions; -

For this cause, these things, while absent, am I writing, that I may not, when present, deal sharply - according to the authority which, the Lord, hath given me, for building up and not for pulling down.