For as the sufferings for the sake of Christ abound on us, so our consolation by Christ doth also abound.

And our hope is firm concerning you, knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also of the consolation.

For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befel us in Asia, that we were exceedingly pressed above our strength, so that we despaired even of life:

who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver, in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us:

So that on the contrary, ye ought rather to forgive and comfort him, least such a one should be swallowed up with excessive sorrow.

So that when I came to Troas on account of the gospel of Christ, and a door was opened to me in the Lord,

Now if the ministration of death which was in writing, and engraven on stones, was so glorious that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly on the face of Moses, because of the lustre of his countenance, which was to be taken away:

For if the ministration of condemnation was so glorious, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory:

but have rejected shameful disguises, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth, recommending ourselves to every man's conscience, in the sight of God.

among whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, doth not shine unto them:

So that death is wrought in us, but life in you.

(for we walk by faith, not by sight,) we are confident, I say,

We are therefore ambassadors for Christ, and as God exhorteth you by us, we intreat you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

I speak not this to condemn you: for I said before that ye are so much in our hearts that we could live and die with you.

and not only by his coming, but especially by the consolation wherewith he was comforted on your account, acquainting us with your earnest desire towards us, your grief, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced greatly.

However, now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance; for ye were grieved after a godly manner, so that ye received no damage from us.

and because if I boasted of any thing to him concerning you, I was not ashamed; but as we have spoken all things to you in truth, so likewise our boasting of you to Titus was truth.

intreating us with much importunity, that we would convey the gift, and so take upon us a part of the ministration to the saints.

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had already begun, so he would also complete this grace among you.

Now therefore perfect also the doing it; that as there was a readiness of will, so there may be also a performance according to your ability.

(and not only so, but he was also chosen by the churches to accompany us with this grace, which is administered by us for the glory of the same Lord, and to shew your readiness of mind:)

least if the Macedonians should come with me, and find you unprepared, we should be ashamed (not to say you also) in this confident boasting.

But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully.

Do ye look at things according to the outward appearance? If any one is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again of himself, that as he is Christ's, so we also are Christ's.

for his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

Not boasting of things beyond our limits in other men's labors; but having hope that, when your faith is increased, we shall be abundantly enlarged by you according to our line,

to preach the gospel in places beyond you; and not to boast in another's province of things ready prepared for us.

But I fear least as the serpent seduced Eve by his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the purity that is in Christ.

And when I was present among you, and in want, I was chargeable to no one. For the brethren that came from Macedonia supplied my want: and in every thing I have kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.

I say again, let no one think me foolish herein; but if they do, yet bear with my weakness, that I also may boast a little.

For ye bear with fools willingly, being yourselves so wise:

Are they Hebrews? so am I: are they Israelites? so am I: are they the seed of Abraham?

so am I: are they ministers of Christ? (if I may speak as a fool) I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes far exceeding, in prisons more frequently, and often even in deaths.

in journies often, in perils from rivers, in perils from robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the desert, in perils on the sea, in perils among false brethren:

and I was let down by the wall through a window in a basket, and so escaped his hands.

Be it so, that I did not burden you myself, yet, may some say, being crafty I over-reached you by subtilty.

This, I say, is the third time I am coming to you: and at the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.