Concerning our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have opportunity.

I beseech you, brethren, (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge them that are such.

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:

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

As also you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that you might have a second benefit;

Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith you stand.

And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

And such trust have we through Christ toward God:

Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

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.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We having 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 if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to boast on our behalf, that you may have something to answer them who boast in appearance, and not in heart.

Therefore from now on know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet from now on know we him no more.

(For he says, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I helped you: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

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

For behold this same thing, that you sorrowed after a godly sort, what earnestness it worked in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what full punishment! In all things you have proved yourselves to be pure in this matter.

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.

I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

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

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.

And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, you may be ready:

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him.

But though I be unskilled in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things.

Have I committed an offense in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

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.

Three times was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, three times I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing am I behind the very chief apostles, though I be nothing.

And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall mourn over many who have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have committed.

I told you before, and tell you again, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them who earlier have sinned, and to all others, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.

For you have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

And because of false brethren brought in unawares, who came in secretly to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Have you suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

But now, after you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

I am afraid for you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.

Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as you are: you have not injured me at all.

Where is then the blessedness you spoke of? for I bear you witness, that, if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you will not be otherwise minded: but he that troubles you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

For, brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of which I tell you beforehand, as I have also told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

You see with what large letters I have written unto you with my own hand.

For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will:

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

If you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me toward you:

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in him.

Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto licentiousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

But you have not so learned Christ;

If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that you might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

Even as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; since as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my grace.

But I wish you to understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have served rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.

For I have no man like minded, who will naturally care for your state.

For indeed he was sick near unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has reasons he might trust in the flesh, I more:

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but rubbish, that I may win Christ,

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Nevertheless, to what we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them who so walk, since you have us for an example.

(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content.

Nevertheless you have done well, that you did share in my affliction.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.

Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints,

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature who is under heaven; of which I Paul am made a minister;

For I desire that you know what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him:

Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any value to the indulgence of the flesh.

Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds;

And have put on the new man, that is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.