Brethren, I would not have you ignorant of our trouble, which happened unto us in Asia. For we were grieved out of measure passing strength, so greatly that we despaired even of life.

Also we received an answer of death in ourselves, and that was done because we should not put our trust in ourselves, but in God, which raiseth the dead to life again -

For in great affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears: not to make you sorry, but that ye might perceive the love which I have most specially unto you.

Wherefore I exhort you, that love may have strength over him.

to the one part are we the savor of death unto death; and unto the other part are we the savor of life unto life. And who is mete unto these things?

which hath made us able to minister the new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit. For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

And we always bear in our bodies the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus might appear in our bodies.

For we which live, are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might appear in our mortal flesh.

So then death worketh in us, and life in you.

For as long as we are in this tabernacle, we sigh and are grieved: for we would not be unclothed: but would be clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, if one be dead for all, that then are all dead:

and that he died for all, because that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves: but unto him which died for them and rose again.

in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the holy ghost, in love unfeigned,

as unknown, and yet known, as dying - and behold we yet live - as chastened and not killed,

I speak not this to condemn you: for I have showed you before that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

Now therefore, as ye are rich in all parts, in faith, in word, in knowledge, in all ferventness, and in love, which ye have to us: even so see that ye be plenteous in this benevolence.

This say I not as commanding: but because others are so fervent, therefore prove I your love, whether it be perfect or no.

Wherefore show unto them the proof of your love, and of the rejoicing that we have of you, that the congregations may see it.

Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knoweth.

I will very gladly bestow, and will be bestowed for your souls: though the more I love you, the less I am loved again.

And verily, though it came of weakness that he was crucified, yet liveth he through the power of God: and we no doubt are weak in him; but we shall live with him, by the might of God among you.

Finally, brethren, fare ye well: be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace, shall be with you.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the holy ghost, be with you all. Amen. {The end of the Second Epistle unto the Corinthians, Sent from Philippi, a city in Macedonia, by Titus and Luke}