For out of great distress and anguish of heart I wrote to you through many tears, not so that you may be caused to be sad, but so that you may know the love that I have especially for you.

But until today, whenever Moses is read aloud, a veil lies upon their heart,

Because of this, [since we] have this ministry, just as we have been shown mercy, we do not lose heart,

Therefore we do not lose heart, but even if our outer person is being destroyed, yet our inner [person] is being renewed day after day.

We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to boast about us, in order that you may have [an answer] for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

For he says, "At the acceptable time I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." Behold, now [is] the acceptable time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation!

{We have spoken freely and openly} to you, Corinthians; our heart is open wide.

But thanks [be] to God, who has put in the heart of Titus the same devotion {on your behalf},

Each one [should give] as he has decided in his heart, not {reluctantly} or from compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

that he was caught up to paradise and heard words not to be spoken, which [it is] not permitted for a person to speak.