For we don't desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life.

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.

Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him.

to the one a stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.

So then death works in us, but life in you.

For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened; not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died.

He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.

in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,

as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed;

I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.

But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace.

I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

Therefore show the proof of your love to them in front of the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Why? Because I don't love you? God knows.

I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you.

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.