not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as it were of ourselves; but our ableness cometh of God;

If the ministration of death through the letters figured in stones was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not behold the face of Moses for the glory of countenance - which glory nevertheless is done away -

For no doubt that which was there glorified is not once glorified in respect of this exceeding glory.

Then if that which is destroyed was glorious, much more shall that which remaineth be glorious.

Seeing then that we have such trust, we use great boldness;

and do not as Moses - which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel should not see for what purpose that served, which is put away.

Therefore seeing that we have such an office, even as mercy is come on us, we faint not:

If our Gospel be yet hid, it is hid among them that are lost,

For it is God that commanded the light to shine out of darkness, which hath shined in our hearts, for to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellent power of it might appear to be of God, and not of us.

And we always bear in our bodies the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus might appear in our bodies.

For we which live, are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might appear in our mortal flesh.

Seeing then that we have the same spirit of faith, according as it is written - "I believed and therefore have I spoken" - we also believe, and therefore speak.

For we know that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us, also, by the means of Jesus, and shall set us with you;

for all things I do for your sakes, that the plenteous grace by thanks given of many, may redound to the praise of God.

We know surely if our earthy mansion wherein we now dwell were destroyed, that we have a building ordained of God, a habitation not made with hands, but eternal in heaven:

so yet if it happen that we be found clothed, and not naked.

For as long as we are in this tabernacle, we sigh and are grieved: for we would not be unclothed: but would be clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

He that hath ordained us for this thing, is God: which very same hath given unto us the earnest of the spirit.

Therefore, we are always of good cheer, and know well that as long as we are at home in the body we are absent from God.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every man may receive the works of his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Seeing, then, that we know how the Lord is to be feared, we fare fair with men. For we are known well enough unto God. I trust also that we are known in your consciences.

We praise not ourselves again unto you, but give you an occasion to rejoice of us, that ye may have somewhat against them, which rejoice in the face, and not in the heart.

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, if one be dead for all, that then are all dead:

and that he died for all, because that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves: but unto him which died for them and rose again.

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh. Insomuch that though we have known Christ after the flesh, now henceforth know we him so no more.

Now then are we messengers in the room of Christ: even as though God did beseech you through us. So pray we you, in Christ's stead, that ye be at one with God:

for he hath made him to be sin for us, which knew no sin, that we by his means should be that righteousness which before God is allowed.

We as helpers therefore exhort you, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

For he saith, "I have heard thee in a time accepted: and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee." Behold, now is that well accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

Let us give no man occasion of evil, that in our office be found no fault:

What concord hath Christ with Belial? Either, what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Seeing that we have such promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and grow up to full holiness in the fear of God.

I speak not this to condemn you: for I have showed you before that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

Nevertheless God, that comforteth the abject, comforted us at the coming of Titus.

And not with his coming only: but also with the consolation wherewith he was comforted of you. For he told us your desire, your mourning, your fervent mind to me ward: So that I now rejoice the more.

Wherefore though I made you sorry with a letter I repent not: though I did repent. For I perceive that that same Epistle made you sorry though it were but for a season.

But I now rejoice, not that ye were sorry, but that ye so sorrowed, that ye repented.

For ye sorrowed godly: so that in nothing were ye hurt by us. For godly sorrow causeth repentance, unto salvation not to be repented of: when worldly sorrow causeth death.

Behold what diligence this godly sorrow that ye took hath wrought in you: yea it caused you to clear yourselves. It caused indignation, it caused fear, it caused desire, it caused a fervent mind, it caused punishment. For in all things ye have showed yourselves that ye were clear in that matter.

Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that did hurt, neither for his cause that was hurt: but that our good mind which we have toward you in the sight of God, might appear unto you

Therefore we are comforted, because ye are comforted: yea and exceedingly the more joyed we, for the joy that Titus had: because his spirit was refreshed of you all.

I am therefore not now ashamed, though I boasted myself to him of you. For as all things which I preached unto you are true, even so is our boasting - that I boasted myself to Titus withal - found true.

I rejoice that I may be bold over you in all things.

how that the abundance of their rejoicing is, that they are tried with much tribulation. And thereto, though they were exceeding poor, yet have they given exceeding richly, and that in singleness.

and prayed us with great instance, that we would receive their benefit, and suffer them to be partakers with others in ministering to the saints.

so that we could not but desire Titus to accomplish the same benevolence among you also, even as he had begun.

Now therefore, as ye are rich in all parts, in faith, in word, in knowledge, in all ferventness, and in love, which ye have to us: even so see that ye be plenteous in this benevolence.

Ye know the liberality of our Lord Jesus Christ, which though he were rich, yet for your sakes became poor: that ye through his poverty might be made rich.

Now therefore perform the deed, that as there was in you a readiness to will, even so ye may perform the deed, of that which ye have.

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

It is not my mind that other be set at ease, and ye brought into cumbrance: but that there be equalness now at this time,

that your abundance succor their lack at this present time of dearth - that their abundance may supply your lack; that there may be equality,

agreeing to that which is written, "He that gathered much had never the more abundance, and he that gathered little, had nevertheless."

For he accepted the request. Yea, rather he was so well willing, that of his own accord came unto you.

We have sent with him that brother whose laud is in the gospel throughout all the congregations:

and not so only, but is also chosen of the congregations to be a fellow with us in our journey, as concerning this benevolence that is ministered by us unto the praise of the Lord, and to stir up your prompt mind.

For this we eschew, that any man should rebuke us in this plenteous distribution that is ministered by us,

Wherefore show unto them the proof of your love, and of the rejoicing that we have of you, that the congregations may see it.

for I know your readiness of mind, whereof I boast myself unto them of Macedonia, and say that Achaia was prepared a year ago, and your ferventness hath provoked many.

Nevertheless, yet have I sent these brethren, lest our rejoicing over you should be in vain in this behalf, and that ye - as I have said - prepare yourselves,

lest peradventure if they of Macedonia come with me and find you unprepared, the boast that I made in this matter should be a shame to us: I say not unto you.

Wherefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, to come before hand unto you, for to prepare your good blessing promised afore, that it might be ready: so that it be a blessing, and not a defrauding.

This yet remember, how that he which soweth little, shall reap little: and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously.

God is able to make you rich in all grace, that ye in all things having sufficient unto the utmost, may be rich unto all manner good works,

as it is written, "He that dispersed abroad and hath given to the poor, his righteousness remaineth for ever."

He that findeth the sower seed, shall minister bread for food, and shall multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness - that on all parts

For the office of this ministration, not only supplieth the need of the saints: but also is abundant herein, that for this laudable ministering, thanks might be given to God of many,

I beseech you that I need not to be bold when I am present - with that same confidence, wherewith I am supposed to be bold - against some which repute us as though we walked carnally.

wherewith we overthrow imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity all understanding to the obedience of Christ,

Look ye on things after the outer appearance? If any man trust in himself that he is Christ's, let the same also consider of himself, that as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

Let him that is such, think on this wise: that as we are in words by letters when we are absent, such are we in deeds when we are present.

But we will not rejoice above measure: but according to the quantity of the measure which God hath distributed unto us, a measure that reacheth even unto you.

and to preach the gospel in those regions which are beyond you, and not to rejoice of that which is by another man's measure prepared already.

Let him that rejoiceth, rejoice in the Lord.

For he that praiseth himself, is not allowed: but he whom the Lord praiseth.

But I fear, lest as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, even so your wits should be corrupt from the singleness that is in Christ.

For if he that cometh to you preach another Jesus than him whom we preached, or if ye receive another spirit than that which ye have received, either another gospel than that ye have received; ye might right well have been content.

I suppose that I was not behind the chief apostles.

Did I therein sin, because I submitted myself, that ye might be exalted? And because I preached unto you the Gospel of God freely?

And when I was present with you and had need, I was grievous to no man. For that which was lacking unto me, the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I kept myself that I should not be grievous to you: and so will I keep myself.

Nevertheless what I do, that will I do to cut away occasion from them which desire occasion, that they might be found like unto us in that wherein they rejoice:

I say again, lest any man think that I am foolish: or else even now take me as a fool, that I may boast myself a little.

That I speak, I speak it not after the ways of the Lord: but as it were foolishly, while we are now come to boasting.

Seeing that many rejoice after the flesh, I will rejoice also.

For ye suffer fools gladly because that ye yourselves are wise.

The God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

how that he was taken up into paradise, and heard words not to be spoken, which no man can utter.

and yet though I would rejoice I should not be a fool, for I would say the truth. Nevertheless I spare, lest any man should think of me above that he seeth me to be, or heareth of me.

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

and he said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee. For my strength is made perfect through weakness." Very gladly therefore will I rejoice of my weakness, that the strength of Christ may dwell in me.

For what is it wherein ye were inferiors unto other congregations? Except it be therein that I was not grievous unto you. Forgive me this wrong done unto you.

But be it that I grieved you not: nevertheless I was crafty and took you with guile.

Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves? We speak in Christ in the sight of God. But we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

For I fear, lest it come to pass, that when I come I shall not find you such as I would: and I shall be found unto you such as I would not. I fear lest there be found among you debate, envying, wrath, strife, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, and discord.

I told you before, and tell you before, and as I said when I was present with you the second time, so write I now, being absent, to them which in time past have sinned, and to all others: that if I come again, I will not spare;

seeing that ye seek experience of Christ which speaketh in me, which among you is not weak, but is mighty in you.

And verily, though it came of weakness that he was crucified, yet liveth he through the power of God: and we no doubt are weak in him; but we shall live with him, by the might of God among you.

Prove yourselves whether ye are in the faith or not. Examine your own selves: know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be castaways?

I trust that ye shall know that we are not castaways.