For this is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with carnal wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more especially toward you.

And in this confidence I was minded to come to you before, that ye might have had a second benefit, And to pass by you into Macedonia,

But I determined this with myself not to come to you again in grief.

Sufficient for such an one is this punishment inflicted by many.

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

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

Having therefore this hope, we use great plainness of speech.

But their understandings were blinded: and until this day the same veil remaineth unremoved on the reading of the old testament, which is taken away in Christ.

But the veil lieth on their heart when Moses is read until this day.

Therefore having this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not: But have renounced the hidden things of shame,

Whose unbelieving minds the god of this world hath blinded, lest the illumination of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine upon them.

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

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

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

For we who are in this tabernacle groan, being burdened; not that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life.

Now he that hath wrought us to this very thing is God, who hath also given us the earnest of the Spirit.

So that we from this time know no one after the flesh; yea, if we have known even Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

For behold, this very thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly manner, what diligence it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge? In all things ye have approved yourselves to be pure in this matter.

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

So that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also compleat this gift among you.

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

And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun a year ago, not only to do, but also to do it willingly.

let your abundance be at this time a supply to their want; that their abundance also may be a supply to your want, that there may be an equality,

but he was also appointed by the churches to be a fellow-traveller with us, with this gift, which is administred by us, to the glory of the Lord himself,

and for the declaration of our ready mind) Avoiding this, lest any one should blame us in this abundance, which is administred by us.

Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you on this head should be made vain, that, as I said, ye may be ready;

Lest if any of the Macedonians come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to say, you) be ashamed of this confident boasting.

Therefore I thought it necessary, to desire the brethren to go before to you, and compleat this your bounty, which had been spoken of before, that it may be ready as a bounty, and not as a matter of covetousness.

And this I say, He that soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully:

For the administration of this service, doth not only supply the necessities of the saints, but likewise aboundeth by the thanksgivings of many to God:

(Who, by experiment of this administration, glorify God for your avowed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal communication to them and to all men.)

Do ye look at the outward appearance of things? If any man be confident, that he is Christ's, let him again think this of himself, that as he is Christ's, so we also are Christ's.

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

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

What I speak, I speak not after the Lord; but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

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

Forgive me this wrong. Behold the third time I am ready to come to you: yet I will not be burdensom to you; for I seek not yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the children.

I am coming to you this third time: every word shall be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses.

For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.