For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about the suffering we experienced in Asia. We were so crushed beyond our ability to endure that we even despaired of living.

After all, if I were to grieve you, who should make me happy but the person I am making sad?

However, their minds were hardened, for to this day the same veil is still there when they read the old covenant. Only in union with the Messiah is that veil removed.

So if we were crazy, it was for God; if we are sane, it is for you.

Therefore, we are the Messiah's representatives, as though God were pleading through us. We plead on the Messiah's behalf: "Be reconciled to God!"

For even when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest. We suffered in a number of ways. Outwardly there were conflicts, inwardly there were fears.

Now I am happy, not because you had such sorrow, but because your sorrow led you to repent. For you were sorry in a godly way, and so you were not hurt by us in any way.

This is what comforted us. In addition to our own comfort, we were even more delighted at the joy of Titus, because his spirit had been set at rest by all of you.

His affection for you is even greater as he remembers how obedient all of you were and how you welcomed him with fear and trembling.

I am giving you my opinion on this matter because it will be helpful to you. Last year you were not only willing to do something, but had already started to do it.

For it is not as though we were overstepping our limits when we came to you. We were the first to reach you with the gospel of the Messiah.

The signs of an apostle were performed among you with utmost patience signs, wonders, and powerful actions.

How were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I did not bother you for help? Forgive me for this wrong!