As God is faithful, our word to you hath not been yea and nay.

For he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and that hath anointed us is God:

Who hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

And if any have caused grief, he hath grieved me but in part, that I may not overburden you all.

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.

Whose unbelieving minds the god of this world hath blinded, lest the illumination of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine upon them.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to inlighten us with the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.

Now he that hath wrought us to this very thing is God, who hath also given us the earnest of the Spirit.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive according to what he hath done in the body, whether good or evil.

And all things are from God, who hath reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation: Namely,

that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their traspasses to them, and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.

For he hath made him, who knew no sin, a sin-offering for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God through him.

Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? or what communion hath light with darkness?

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath a believer with an infidel?

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? Now ye are the temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.

For if there be first a ready mind, a man is accepted, according to what he hath, not according to what he hath not.

For I know your readiness, which I boast concerning you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

(As it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth for ever.

Yea, if I should boast something more also of the authority which the Lord hath given us, for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

But we will not boastingly extend ourselves beyond our measure; but according to the measure of the providence, which God hath allotted us, a measure to reach even unto you.

Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me, for edification, and not for destruction.