For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom, but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

And in this confidence I was purposing before to come to you, that ye might have a second favor;

When, therefore, I was purposing this, did I manifest fickleness or the things which I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the "Yea, yea," and the "Nay, nay?"

But I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow.

And I wrote this very thing, that I might not, when I came, have sorrow from those of whom I ought to have joy; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

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

For even that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, on account of the surpassing glory;

But their minds were unimpressible; for until this day upon the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted; which in Christ is done away.

But, until this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their heart.

Therefore, having this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not;

in whom the god of this world blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God, should not shine upon them.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness may be of God, and not from ourselves;

For verily, in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from Heaven;

Now He Who wrought us for this very thing is God, Who gave to us the earnest of the Spirit.

For the love of Christ is constraining us; having judged this, that One died for all; consequently, they all died:

For, behold this very thing??hat ye were made sorry after a godly manner??hat diligence it wrought in you; yea, what defense of yourselves; yea, what indignation; yea, what fear; yea what earnest desire; yea, what zeal; yea, what avenging! In everything ye proved yourselves to be pure in the matter.

For this cause, we have been consoled; but, in our consolation, we rejoice the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

and they did this not as we hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God;

so that we exhorted Titus that, as he began before, so also he would finish in you this same grace also.

But, as ye abound in everything??n faith, and speech, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us??ee that ye abound in this grace also.

And I give my judgment in this; for this is profitable for you, who, indeed, began before others, a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.

and not that only, but who was also appointed by the assemblies, as our fellow-traveler with this gift which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and our zeal;

avoiding this, that no one should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us;

But I sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that even as I said, ye may be prepared;

Lest by any means, if the Macedonians should come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not ye) should be put to shame in this confidence.

I thought it necessary, therefore, to exhort the brethren, that they should go before to you, and make up beforehand your previously promised bounty, that this may be ready as a matter of bounty and not as of covetousness.

But I say this: He that sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he that sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.

Because the ministry of this service not only fully supplies the deficiencies of the saints, but abounds also through many thanksgivings to God;

through the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the subjection of your confession to the Gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;

Ye look at things according to appearance. If anyone has trusted to himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again with himself, that, as he is Christ's, so also are we.

Let such a one consider this: that such as we are in word through letters, when absent; such also are we in deed, when present.

As the truth of Christ is in me, this glorying shall not be stopped in regard to me in the regions of Achaia.

What I am speaking I speak not according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.

Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

For what is there in which ye were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong!

Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be burdensome to you; for I seek not yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

Think ye all this time that we are excusing ourselves to you? Before God in Christ we are speaking; and all, beloved, for your edification.

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

For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong; this also we pray for??our perfection.

For this cause, I write these things while absent; that I may not, when present, deal sharply according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not casting down.