who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we might be able to comfort those who are in all tribulation, by the consolation with which we ourselves are comforted of God.

And our hope of you is sure, knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also of the consolation.

For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, of the tribulation which came to us in Asia, that above measure we have been burdened beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life:

for we ourselves, in ourselves have received the sentence of death, that we should have no confidence in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead.

Who from so imminent a prospect of death hath delivered us, and still delivers: in whom we trust also that he will yet deliver us:

ye also labouring together for us in prayer, that from many persons thanks may be given on our behalf for the gifts bestowed on us by many.

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.

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

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

Such then being my intention, did I indeed change it with levity? or the things which I purpose, do I purpose after the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay?

Now he that confirmeth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

But I appeal to God as a witness unto my soul, that to spare you I have not yet come to Corinth:

not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow-helpers of your joy; for by faith ye stand.

For if I make you sorry, who is he that maketh me glad, but he that is made sorrowful by me?

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

Now if any person hath given cause for grief, he hath not grieved me [merely], but partly all of you; that I may add no farther burden.

Sufficient for such person is that chastisement which hath been inflicted by the majority of you.

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

that no advantage be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

not that we are sufficient of ourselves to account any thing of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God.

For if the ministry of death in letters graven on stone, was attended with glory, so that the children of Israel could not keep their eyes fixed upon the countenance of Moses, because of the glory of his countenance, though [soon] evanescent;

For that which was glorious hath no glory, comparatively, because of the glory which excelleth.

For if that which was abolished came in a glorious manner, much more is that which remaineth glorious.

And [act] not as Moses who spread a veil over his face, in order that the children of Israel might not look stedfastly to the end of that which should be abolished.

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

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.

always bearing about in the body the death pangs of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body.

For we who are yet alive are continually delivered up to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

knowing that he who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ, will raise up us also through Jesus, and present us together with you.

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace, through the thanksgiving of more persons, may more abound to the glory of God.

whilst we direct our aim not to the things which are seen, but to the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.

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.

that so invested, we may not be found naked.

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.

Therefore we have always confidence, and know that whilst we are indwelling in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

wherefore also our ambition is, that whether dwelling in the body, or out of the body, we may be acceptable to him.

For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that each may receive the things done in the body according to what he hath done, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have an answer for those who glory in countenance, and not in heart.

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

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

namely, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing to them their offences: and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.

For he hath made him, who knew no sin, to be a sin offering for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

WE then as labourers with him, exhort you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain:

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

and what concord of Christ with Belial? or what share hath he that believeth with an infidel?

I speak not for your condemnation, for I have already said, that ye are in our hearts to die and live together.

But God that comforteth the lowly comforted us by the coming of Titus:

and not by his coming only, but also by the consolation wherewith he had been comforted among you, declaring to us your fervent desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced the more.

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.

Now I rejoice, not that ye have been made sorrowful, but that ye have sorrowed unto repentance; for ye have been made sorry in a godly manner, that ye might receive damage from us in nothing.

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.

And indeed though I wrote unto you, I did it not [merely] for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause who had suffered the injury, but that our diligent attention for you might be more abundantly manifested to you in the presence of God.

I rejoice therefore that in every thing I have confidence in you.

that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, hath more abounded to the riches of their liberality.

with much entreaty praying us that we would receive the gift, and [undertake] the communication of the contribution for the saints.

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.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor though he was rich, that ye by his poverty should be made rich.

Now then accomplish also the doing it, that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be also to perform out of that which ye have.

For I mean not that there should be ease for others and a burden on you;

but that according to equality, your abundance on the present occasion should afford a supply for their deficiency, that their abundance also may supply your deficiency, that there may be equality.

According as it is written, "He that [gathered] much had no more than others, and he who [gathered] little, had no less."

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

For I know your readiness of mind, for which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia had made preparation a year ago; and your zeal hath stirred up very many.

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.

have thought it necessary therefore to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and prepare before your promised bounty, that it may be ready as a matter of bounty, and not as [extorted] of covetousness.

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

And God is able to make all grace abound towards you; that in every case having always all sufficiency, ye may abound unto every good work:

Now he that supplieth seed to the sower, shall also supply bread for food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

But I pray, that when I am present I may not be bold with the confidence with which I purpose to act resolutely against some who think of us, as if we walked after the flesh.

Regard ye the things that are personal? If any man is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him reflect again in himself, that as he is Christ's, so are we Christ's.

that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

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.

But we will not glory in things beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath marked out for us?? measure that hath reached even unto you.

not boasting ourselves unmeasurably in other men's labours; but having hope that when your faith is increased, we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule for more abundant usefulness,

But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

For if he indeed that cometh preach another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not embraced, ye might well bear with him.

Am I chargeable with a fault (humbling myself that you might be exalted), that I preached to you the gospel of God freely?

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.

But what I do, I will do also, that I may cut off occasion from those who desire occasion, that wherein they boast, they may be found even as we.

I repeat it again, Let no man suppose that I am a fool; but if otherwise, then as a fool receive me, that I too may boast myself a little.

and beside all these things from without, that accumulated burden which cometh on me daily, the care of all the churches.

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

that he was caught up into paradise, and heard ineffable words, which it is not permitted to man to speak.

And that I might not be lifted up above measure by the transcendent greatness of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, the angel Satan, to buffet me, that I might not be lifted up above measure.

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

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may fix its residence in 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.

Think ye that we are again making an apology to you? In the sight of God speak we in Christ: but all things, beloved, for your edification.

For I am afraid that when I come I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found of you such as ye would not: lest haply there be contentions, jealousies, animosities, quarrels, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

I have told you before, and I repeat it, as when I was present the second time, and now absent, I write to those who have sinned already, and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare you:

since ye demand a proof that Christ speaketh in me, who to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

Examine yourselves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your ownselves: know ye not your ownselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobate?

But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.

Now I pray unto God that ye do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you may do that which is laudable, though we should be as reprobates.

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.