For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ.

And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the consolation.

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, so that we despaired even of life:

Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

So that instead you ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with too much sorrow.

Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

But if the ministry of death, written and engraved in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

And not as Moses, who put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly see the end of that which is abolished:

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

So then death works in us, but life in you.

If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.

And not by his coming only, but by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

For if I have boasted anything to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found to be truth.

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

Therefore, as you abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also.

Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which you have.

Lest perhaps if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, you) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

But this I say, He who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

Do you look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trusts to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

Not boasting of things beyond our measure, that is, of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be strengthened by you according to our field abundantly,

To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's field of things made ready to our hand.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his cunning, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

And when I was present with you, and in want, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

I say again, Let no man think me foolish; but if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the descendants of Abraham? so am I.

In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

For though I would desire to boast, 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 sees me to be, or that he hears of me.

Therefore 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 strong.

But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I took you with guile.