When, therefore, I was purposing this, did I manifest fickleness or the things which I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the "Yea, yea," and the "Nay, nay?"

And I wrote this very thing, that I might not, when I came, have sorrow from those of whom I ought to have joy; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

For even when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief; but we were in tribulation on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

but I pray that, when present, I may not show courage with the confidence with which I purpose to be bold against some who reckon us as walking according to the flesh.

and holding ourselves in readiness to avenge every disobedience, when your obedience is made complete.

Let such a one consider this: that such as we are in word through letters, when absent; such also are we in deed, when present.

Wherefore, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then am I powerful.

For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I desire, and that I, too, should be found by you such as ye do not desire; lest, by any means, there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;

lest, when I come again, my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of those who have heretofore sinned, and repented not of the uncleanness, and fornication and lasciviousness which they practiced.

For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong; this also we pray for??our perfection.

For this cause, I write these things while absent; that I may not, when present, deal sharply according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not casting down.