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

And in this confidence I had a mind to come to you first, (that ye might have a second benefit,) and to pass by you into Macedonia;

Now when I intended this, was I chargeable with levity? or what I purpose, do I purpose from carnal motives, that with me there should be yea, yea, and then no, no?

And I wrote this to you, that when I come I may not have grief from those of whom I ought to receive joy, being persuaded concerning all of you, that my joy is the joy of you all.

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

for unto this day the same veil remaineth unremoved in the reading of the old testament, which veil is taken away in Christ.

But to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.

Therefore having received this ministry, as we have obtained mercy, we are not disheartened:

among whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, doth not shine unto them:

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power might be evidently of God, and not of us:

And therefore whilst we are in this tabernacle we groan, being very desirous to be covered with our house which is from heaven: since though unclothed of this body,

For we who are in this tabernacle do groan, being burthened; wherefore we desire, not to be wholly unclothed, but to put on immortality, that the mortal part may be swallowed up in life.

For the love of Christ constraineth us, being fully persuaded of this, that if One died for all, then were all dead.

I speak not this to condemn you: for I said before that ye are so much in our hearts that we could live and die with you.

For behold this very thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly manner, what diligence it wrought in you! yea, what apology, what indignation, what fear, what earnest desire, what zeal, what revenge! by all which ye have shewn yourselves to be clear in the affair.

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

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had already begun, so he would also complete this grace among you.

And as ye abound in every other grace, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, that ye may abound in this grace also.

And herein I give my opinion: for this is to your advantage, who not only began to act, but also to be forward to it above a year ago.

but by an equality, that your abundance may at this time be a supply to their want; and their abundance may be the like to your want, if need be: that there may be an equality:

(and not only so, but he was also chosen by the churches to accompany us with this grace, which is administered by us for the glory of the same Lord, and to shew your readiness of mind:)

hereby taking care that no one might blame us in the disposal of this large sum which is administered by us:

But I have sent the brethren, that our boasting of you might not become vain in this respect, but that ye might be ready, as I had said:

least if the Macedonians should come with me, and find you unprepared, we should be ashamed (not to say you also) in this confident boasting.

But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully.

For the ministration of this service not only supplieth the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also, through many thanksgivings, to the glory of God.

(While from the experience of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and the liberality of your communication to them, and to all men.)

Do ye look at things according to the outward appearance? If any one is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again of himself, that as he is Christ's, so we also are Christ's.

But let such a one know this, that as we are in word by letters, when absent, such also shall we be in fact when present.

As the truth of Christ is in me, this boast shall not be taken from me in the regions of Achaia.

What I speak I speak not as from the Lord, but as in weakness, in this confidence of boasting.

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

For what is it that ye were inferior in to the rest of the churches, unless it be that I myself was not burdensome to you?--- Forgive me this injury.

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

For we rejoice when we exert not our power, and when ye are strong: as this is what we wish, even your perfection.