so you must do the opposite, freely forgive and comfort him, to keep him from being overwhelmed by his excessive sadness.

Now who is qualified for such a task? I am, for I am not a peddler of God's message, like the most of them, but like a man of sincerity, like a man that is sent from God and living in His presence, in union with Christ I speak His message.

For if what passed away was introduced with splendor, with how much greater splendor must what is permanent be attended?

For we must all appear before the judgment-bar of Christ, that each may get his pay for what he has done, whether it be good or bad.

To pay me back, I tell you, my children, you too must stretch your hearts with love for me.

I have the greatest confidence in you; I speak most highly of you. I am fully comforted; in the face of all my sorrow my cup is running over with joy.

Yes, just as you are growing rich in everything else, in faith, expression, knowledge, perfect enthusiasm, and the love inspired in you by us, you must see to it that you grow rich in this gracious contribution too.

So you must furnish them, before all the churches, proof of your love and ground for my praising you so highly.

for I know your readiness to help in it. I am boasting of you about it to the Macedonians, reminding them that Greece has been ready since last year, and your enthusiasm has stimulated the most of them.

Each must give what he has purposed in his heart to give, not sorrowfully or under compulsion, for it is the happy giver that God loves.

"But the man who boasts must boast in the Lord.

Let me say again that no one must think that I am a fool, but if you do, please treat me like a fool and let me do a little boasting too, as other fools do.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness!

was actually caught up into paradise, and heard things that must not be told, which no man has a right even to mention.

So I most happily boast about my weaknesses, so that the strength of Christ may overshadow me. That is why I take such pleasure in weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecution, and difficulties, which I endure for Christ's sake, for it is when I am consciously weak that I am really strong.

So in my own case, I will most happily spend my money and myself for your sakes. If I love you much more than I love others, am I to be loved less by you?

This is my third visit to you. Any charge preferred must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

You yourselves must continue testing yourselves to see whether you are continuing in the faith. You must continue standing the test. Do you not know by a growing experience that Jesus Christ is in you? -- provided you stand the test.