Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

For our boast is this: the testimony of our conscience, that with holiness and godly sincerity, not in worldly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and still more toward you.

Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a double benefit.

When I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or do I make my plans in a fleshly manner so that in the same breath I say, "Yes, Yes" and "No, No"?

Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority,

For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.

For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it.

But their minds were hardened; for to this day, when they read the old covenant, the same veil remains unlifted, because only in Christ is it removed.

Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

For all this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed, but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

Now he who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

I do not say this to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.

For behold what this very thing, godly sorrow, has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what readiness to see justice done! At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, he would also complete in you this work of grace.

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.

And in this matter I give my advice: it is best for you now to complete what a year ago you began not only to do but to desire.

and not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work which we are carrying on, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.

We intend that no one should blame us about this liberal gift which we are administering,

But I am sending the brethren so that our boasting about you may not prove vain in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be;

So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren to go on to you before me, and arrange in advance for this gift you have promised, so that it may be ready not as an exaction but as a willing gift.

The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.

Because of the test of this service, you will glorify God by your obedience in your confession of the gospel of Christ, and by the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others;

You look at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also are we.

But even if I am unskilled in speech, I am not in knowledge; in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.

As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.

What I am saying I am not saying as the Lord would, but as a fool, in this confidence of boasting.

And I know that this manwhether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should depart from me.

For in what respect were you inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.