For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

For the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.

in purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,

But as you excel in everythingin faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for ussee that you excel in this work of grace also.

I am not speaking this as a command, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

Therefore openly before the churches, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.

Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

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

Finally, brethren, farewell. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

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