For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: