For the ground of our rejoicing is this: the testimony of our conscience that we have lived in the world more abundantly, indeed, for you in sincerity and godly purity, not in carnal wisdom, but in the grace of God.

And in this confidence I intended to go to you before, that you might have a second benefit;

In forming this purpose, did I, therefore, behave with levity? or do I purpose what I purpose, according to the flesh, that there may be with me, yes yes, and no, no?

But I determined this in myself, that with sorrow I would not again come to you:

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

For I wrote to you for this purpose also, that I might have a sure proof from you, whether you are obedient in all things.

Now, confidence such as this we have, through the Christ, toward God;

For that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that surpasses.

But their minds were blinded: for till this day, in the reading of the old covenant, the same vail remains not taken away, which vail is removed in Christ.

But to this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart:

Wherefore, having this ministry, inasmuch as we have received mercy, we faint not;

whose unbelieving minds the god of this age has darkened, so that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine to them.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be God's and not our own.

But, having the same spirit of faith, according to that winch is written, I believed, and for this reason I have spoken; we also believe, and for this reason we speak,

For this reason we faint not: but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day. by day.

For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house that is from heaven,

For we who are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened, not because we wish to be unclothed, but clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

Now, he that has formed us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the earnest of the Spirit.

For this reason we also endeavor, whether we remain in the body or depart from it, to be acceptable to him.

For the love of Christ constrains us, because we have this judgment that if one died for all, then have all died:

for we put no stumbling-block in any man's way, in order that this ministry may not be blamed;

For this reason, come out from among them, and separate yourselves, says the Lord, and touch not an unclean person, and I will receive you;

I do not say this to condemn you; for I have said before, that you are in our hearts, so that we could die with you, and live with you.

For behold this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner; what earnestness it produced in you; what defense of yourselves; what indignation; what fear; what strong affection; what zeal; what assertion of right. In all respects you have shown yourselves to be blame less in this matter.

For this reason, we have been comforted by means of your comfort: and we rejoiced exceedingly more indeed, on account of the joy of Titus, for his spirit was refreshed by you all.

and they did this, not only as we had hoped, but they gave them selves first to the Lord, and then to us, through the will of God;

so that we exhorted Titus, that, as he had previously begun, so he would bring to an end this gift among you also.

Now as you excel in every thing, in faith, and in speech, and in knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us, see that you excel in this gift also.

I do not speak this as a commandment, but on account of the zeal of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

And I give my judgment in this matter; for this is profitable for you, who began not only to do, but to show a willing mind, a year ago.

Now, therefore, perfect also the doing of this; that as there was a readiness of mind to be willing, so also there may be an accomplishment of the doing, out of that which you have.

and who, moreover, was chosen by the -churches as our fellow-traveler with this gift, which is to be distributed by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and as a declaration of your readiness of mind;

being careful for this that no one shall blame us in this abundance, which is ministered by us;

But I have sent the brethren, that our boasting of you in this respect may not be in vain; that you may be ready, as I said:

lest, possibly, should the Macedonians come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to say you) might be made ashamed by this same confident boasting.

Therefore, I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go before to you, and make ready beforehand your bounty, which has been so much talked of before, that this might be ready as a bounty, and not as a gift extorted from you.

But remember this, that he who sows sparingly, shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully, shall also reap bountifully.

because the administration of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints, but also abounds in many thanksgivings to God;

(since through the proof which this service gives, they glorify God for your acknowledged subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution for them, and for all;)

As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting shall not be silenced, in my case, in the regions of Achaia.

What I say, I say not according to the Lord, but as in folly, in this same confidence of boasting.

With regard to this, I three times entreated the Lord that it might leave me;

For this reason, I take pleasure in infirmities, in outrages, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, unless in this that I did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.

For we rejoice when we are weak, and you are strong. And we pray also for this your perfection.

For this reason, I write these things, while absent, that I may not, when present, use severity, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification, and not for destruction.