Let me have your cooperation in prayer, so that many a soul may render thanks to him on my behalf for the boon which many have been the means of him bestowing on myself.

Relying on this I meant to visit you first, to let you have a double delight;

there the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to prevent them seeing the light thrown by the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God.

For God who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," has shone within my heart to illuminate men with the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Christ.

(for I have to lead my life in faith, without seeing him):

[Keep out of all incongruous ties with unbelievers. What have righteousness and iniquity in common, or how can light associate with darkness?

As these great promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates either flesh or spirit; let us be fully consecrated by reverence for God].

So my letter was written to you, not on account of the offender nor for the sake of the injured party, but in order to let you realize before God how seriously you do care for me.

This has led me to ask Titus to complete the arrangements for the same gracious contribution among yourselves, as it was he who started it.

So let them have proof of how you can love, and of my reasons for being proud of you; it will be a proof read by the churches.

Look at this obvious fact. So-and-so is perfectly sure he 'belongs to Christ'? Well then, let him understand, on second thoughts, that I 'belong to Christ' as much as he does.

Let him understand that I will act when I arrive, as forcibly as I express myself by letter when I am absent.

However, let him who boasts boast of the Lord;

No wonder they do, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

I am quite ashamed to say I was not equal to that sort of thing! But let them vaunt as they please, I am equal to them (mind, this is the role of a fool!).

But let that pass, you say; I was not a burden to you, no, but I was clever enough to dupe you with my tricks? Was I?