1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.

And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I had confidence in all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.

We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of the radiance that was fading away.

We are confident, I say, and would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, he would also complete in you this work of grace.

But I am sending the brethren so that our boasting about you may not prove vain in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be;

lest if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, wenot to say anything about you would be ashamed of having been so confident.

I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.

I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me.

What I am saying I am not saying as the Lord would, but as a fool, in this confidence of boasting.