Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God.

And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the consolation.

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life:

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead:

Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

You also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

As also you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that you might have a second benefit;

When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

Moreover I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith you stand.

But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

For if I make you sorry, who is he then that makes me glad, but the same who is made sorry by me?

And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

But if any has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overburden you all.

So that instead you ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with too much sorrow.

Therefore I beseech you that you would confirm your love toward him.

For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether you be obedient in all things.

For we are unto God a sweet fragrance of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

But if the ministry of death, written and engraved in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excels.

For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious.

Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

And not as Moses, who put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly see the end of that which is abolished:

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

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

Knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many increase to the glory of God.

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

Now he that has made us for the same thing is God, who also has given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

Therefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may be recompensed for the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad.

For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to boast on our behalf, that you may have something to answer them who boast in appearance, and not in heart.

For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

And that he died for all, that they who live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again.

That is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

For he has made him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.

Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed:

And what harmony has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with an infidel?

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

Nevertheless God, who comforts those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

And not by his coming only, but by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not regret, though I did regret: for I perceive that the same epistle has made you sorry, though it were but for a time.

Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a godly manner, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.

For behold this same thing, that you sorrowed after a godly sort, what earnestness it worked in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what full punishment! In all things you have proved yourselves to be pure in this matter.

Therefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause who had done the wrong, nor for his cause who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

Begging us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

So that we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

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

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich.

Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which you have.

For I mean not that other men be eased, and you burdened:

But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and a testimony of your eagerness:

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

For I know the eagerness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has provoked very many.

Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, you may be ready:

Lest perhaps if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, you) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your gift, of which you had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of gift, and not as an extortion.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Now he that ministers seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, though I think to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

Casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Do you look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trusts to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

Let such a one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

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

But he that glories, let him glory in the Lord.

For not he that commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

I wish that you could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his cunning, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him.

Have I committed an offense in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

And when I was present with you, and in want, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them who desire occasion; that when they glory, they may be found even as we.

I say again, Let no man think me foolish; but if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

That which I speak, I speak it not according to the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will boast also.

Besides those things that are outside, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forevermore, knows that I lie not.

How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

For though I would desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he sees me to be, or that he hears of me.

For this thing I besought the Lord three times, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.