and not like Moses who used to put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from staring at the result of the glory that was made ineffective.

But their minds were closed. For to this very day, the same veil remains when they hear the old covenant read. It has not been removed because only in Christ is it taken away.

But until this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds,

but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Therefore we are always full of courage, and we know that as long as we are alive here on earth we are absent from the Lord --

Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

If there is any question about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.

Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance and to arrange ahead of time the generous contribution you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous gift and not as something you feel forced to do.

Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away!) --

I say again, let no one think that I am a fool. But if you do, then at least accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me,

I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison to those "super-apostles," even though I am nothing.

Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you -- unless, indeed, you fail the test!