But when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,

but to this day when Moses is read a vail lies upon their minds;

but when they turn to the Lord the vail is taken away.

For when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were distressed on every hand; without were conflicts, within fears;

and I desire that I may not be bold when present, with that confidence which I design to use against some who speak of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

and being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is completed.

Let such a one think, that such as we are in word by epistles when absent, such also will we be in work when present.

and when I was with you and was in want, I was burdensome to no one; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied beforehand my need; and in every thing I kept myself without being burdensome to you, and will keep myself so.

In Damascus, the ethnarch, when Aretas was king, guarded the city of the Damascenes, desiring to take me,

Most gladly, therefore, will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Wherefore I am well pleased with infirmities, with injuries, with necessities, with persecutions, with distresses for Christ; for when I am weak, then am I strong.

For I fear lest when I come I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found such as you wish not; lest there shall be strife, envy, anger, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, pride, dissensions;

lest when I come again my God shall humble me before you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned, and not changed their minds, in respect to impurity and fornication and lewdness which they have committed.

For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong; and we desire this, your perfection.

For this reason, being absent, I write these things, that I may not use sharpness when present, with the power which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for pulling down.