For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity before God, (not in fleshly wisdom but in God's grace,) we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly towards you.

And with this confidence I purposed to come to you previously, that ye might have a second favour;

Having therefore this purpose, did I then use lightness? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to flesh, that there should be with me yea yea, and nay nay?

But I have judged this with myself, not to come back to you in grief.

And I have written this very letter to you, that coming I may not have grief from those from whom I ought to have joy; trusting in you all that my joy is that of you all.

Sufficient to such a one is this rebuke which has been inflicted by the many;

For to this end also I have written, that I might know, by putting you to the test, if as to everything ye are obedient.

For also that which was glorified is not glorified in this respect, on account of the surpassing glory.

But their thoughts have been darkened, for unto this day the same veil remains in reading the old covenant, unremoved, which in Christ is annulled.

But unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil lies upon their heart.

Therefore, having this ministry, as we have had mercy shewn us, we faint not.

in whom the god of this world has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving, so that the radiancy of the glad tidings of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine forth for them.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassingness of the power may be of God, and not from us:

For indeed in this we groan, ardently desiring to have put on our house which is from heaven;

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

For the love of the Christ constrains us, having judged this: that one died for all, then all have died;

For, behold, this same thing, your being grieved according to God, how much diligence it wrought in you, but what excusing of yourselves, but what indignation, but what fear, but what ardent desire, but what zeal, but what vengeance: in every way ye have proved yourselves to be pure in the matter.

For this reason we have been encouraged. And we the rather rejoiced in our encouragement more abundantly by reason of the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

So that we begged Titus that, according as he had before begun, so he would also complete as to you this grace also;

but even as ye abound in every way, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in love from you to us, that ye may abound in this grace also.

And I give my opinion in this, for this is profitable for you who began before, not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.

and not only so, but is also chosen by the assemblies as our fellow-traveller with this grace, ministered by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and a witness of our readiness;

avoiding this, that any one should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us;

But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made void in this respect, in order that, as I have said, ye may be prepared;

lest haply, if Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, that we say not ye, may be put to shame in this confidence.

I thought it necessary therefore to beg the brethren that they would come to you, and complete beforehand your fore-announced blessing, that this may be ready thus as blessing, and not as got out of you.

But this is true, he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows in the spirit of blessing shall reap also in blessing:

Because the ministration of this service is not only filling up the measure of what is lacking to the saints, but also abounding by many thanksgivings to God;

they glorifying God through the proof of this ministration, by reason of your subjection, by profession, to the glad tidings of the Christ, and your free-hearted liberality in communicating towards them and towards all;

Do ye look at what concerns appearance? If any one has confidence in himself that he is of Christ, let him think this again in himself, that even as he is of Christ, so also are we.

Let such a one think this, that such as we are in word by letters when absent, such also present in deed.

The truth of Christ is in me that this boasting shall not be stopped as to me in the regions of Achaia.

What I speak I do not speak according to the Lord, but as in folly, in this confidence of boasting.

For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me.

For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.

Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; for I do not seek yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

This third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every matter be established.

For we rejoice when we may be weak and ye may be powerful. But this also we pray for, your perfecting.

On this account I write these things being absent, that being present I may not use severity according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for overthrowing.