With this conviction in my mind, I planned to come to see you first, so that your pleasure might be doubled--

But I made up my mind not to grieve you with another painful visit.

For I wrote to you in much affliction and distress of mind with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have abundantly for you.

I had no peace of mind because I did not find my brother Titus [there]. So, I said "good-bye" to them and went on to Macedonia.

nevertheless, when Moses is read, the veil upon their mind continues unto this day:

but when their mind shall turn to the Lord, that veil too shall be taken away.

Now by "the Lord" is meant the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, freedom is enjoyed.

but as we lay aside the veil, the divine light gradually informs the mind, according as we attend to that spiritual sense, which points out the Lord.

for which cause I am not discouraged, but tho' my body decays, yet my mind is daily renewed.

Having in mind, then, the fear of the Lord, we put these things before men, but God sees our hearts; and it is my hope that we may seem right in your eyes.

For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you.

I approve myself, by chastity, by knowledge, by meekness, by kindness, by sanctity of mind, by undisguised benevolence,

Unnoted, but still kept fully in mind; as near to death, but still living; as undergoing punishment, but not put to death;

What agreement can thee be between a temple of God and idols? And we are a temple of the Living God. That is what God meant when he said--'I will dwell among them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

since then, we have these promises, my dear brethren, let us cleanse our selves from all impurity, whether of body or mind, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Ever since we reached Macedonia, we have had no rest in body or mind; on every side there have been troubles--conflicts without, anxieties within.

And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith 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.

yet I am glad now, not because you were hurt and made sorry, but because your sorrow led to repentance [and you turned back to God]; for you felt a grief such as God meant you to feel, so that you might not suffer loss in anything on our account.

For godly sorrow produces a change of mind to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world produces 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

It is for this reason that we are comforted and encouraged.And in addition to our comfort, we were especially delighted at the joy of Titus, because you have refreshed his spirit.

and his affections are more abundantly towards you, calling to mind the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

And that as you are full of every good thing, of faith, of the word, of knowledge, of a ready mind, and of love to us, so you may be full of this grace in the same way.

I am not giving you an order, but using the ready mind of others as a test of the quality of your love.

And I give my judgment in this matter; for this is profitable for you, who began not only to do, but to show a willing mind, a year ago.

Then make the doing of it complete; so that as you had a ready mind, you may give effect to it as you are able.

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,

Thanks be unto God, which put in the heart of Titus the same good mind toward you.

For he received in deed the exhortation, but being more diligent, of his own ready mind he went unto you.

And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

and for the declaration of our ready mind) Avoiding this, lest any one should blame us in this abundance, which is administred by us.

For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].

Your wealth being increased in everything, with a simple mind, causing praise to God through us.

Now I, Paul, myself make request to you by the quiet and gentle behaviour of Christ, I who am poor in spirit when with you, but who say what is in my mind to you without fear when I am away from you:

I beg of you that when I do come I may not have to speak out and be peremptory; but my mind is made up to tackle certain people who have made up their minds that I move on the low level of the flesh.

Give attention to the things which are before you. If any man seems to himself to be Christ's, let him keep in mind that we are as much Christ's as he is.

Let those who say this keep in mind that, what we are in word by letters when we are away, so will we be in act when we are present.

To my shame, I must say, we have been too weak [in comparison to those pseudo-apostles who take advantage of you].But in whatever anyone else dares to boast—I am speaking foolishly—I also dare to boast.

Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if I were out of my mind.)

tho' if I had a mind to glory, I might do it without vanity, for I should say nothing but what is true: but now I forbear, lest any man should ascribe more to me than my actions, or my preaching can justify.

Have you been thinking all along that we are trying to defend ourselves before you? We are speaking before God in the authority of the Messiah, and everything, dear friends, is meant to build you up.

I am glad to be weak if you are strong; mend your ways, that is all I ask.

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.