For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with carnal wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and peculiarly towards you.

And in this confidence I was intending to come unto you a second time, that ye might receive a second blessing;

BUT I prescribed to myself this rule, not to come again to you with sorrow.

And I have written unto you for this very purpose, that I might not, when I come to you, have sorrow from those in whom I ought to rejoice, having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

For to this end also have I written, that I may know by this proof of you if ye are obedient in all things.

But their understandings were darkened: for unto this day the same veil in their reading the old testament abideth unremoved; which veil is taken away by Christ.

For unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is spread over their hearts.

THEREFORE having this ministry, as we have obtained mercy, we faint not;

among whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dart its bright beams upon them.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the transcendent excellence of the power might be of God, and not of us.

FOR we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle should be taken down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our mansion which is from heaven;

For we which are in this tabernacle, groan, being burdened; wherein we desire not to be unclothed, but clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life.

But he that hath wrought us for this very thing is God, who also hath given us the earnest of the spirit.

For if I grieved you by a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that this letter made you sorry, though but for a season.

For behold this very thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly manner, how great diligence did it produce in you! yea, what apologizing! yea, what indignation! yea, what fear! yea, what earnest desire! yea, what zeal! yea, what vengeance! In every step ye have approved yourselves as pure in this affair.

So that we exhorted Titus, that as he had been active before, so also he would perfect in you this grace also.

So as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and elocution, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

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

and not only so, but who was chosen by the churches as my fellow-traveller with this charity, ministered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and [to shew] your ready mind.

Avoiding this, that no man should lay any blame to us in this abundance which is administered by us:

But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying in you might not be vain in this matter; that as I have said, ye may be prepared.

Lest haply if the Macedonians come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to say, you) may be confounded in this confidence of boasting. I

But this I add, He that soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly, and he that soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.

For the ministration of this [charitable] service not only abundantly supplies the deficiencies of the saints, but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God;

(while by the evidence of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberality towards them, and towards all men;)

Let such a man be assured of this, that such as we are by word in our letters when absent, such also will we be in deed when we are present.

I protest, by the truth of Christ in me, that from this boasting no man shall seal up my lips in the regions of Achaia.

What I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as it were in folly in this confidence of boasting.

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

For what is there wherein ye have been inferior to the other churches, except that I have not been burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong.

THIS third time I am coming to you: by the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every charge be established.

For we rejoice when we are weak, but ye are strong: and this also we pray for, even your perfect establishment.

For this cause, though absent, I have written these things, that when I am present I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction.