1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ.
6 And if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is at work in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope for you is steadfast, knowing, that as you are sharers in the sufferings, so shall you also be in the consolation.
8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed beyond measure, above our strength, so that we despaired even of life:
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
11 You also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed on us by means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
12 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 had our conduct in the world, and more abundantly towards you.
13 For we write no other things to you, than what you read or acknowledge; and I trust you shall acknowledge even to the end;
14 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.
15 And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit;
16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia to you, and to be brought on my way by you towards Judea.
17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I do it carelessly? Or the things that I decide to do, do I decide according to the flesh, that with me there should be yes yes, and no no?
18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yes and no.
19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yes and no, but in him it was yes.
20 For all the promises of God are yes in him, and Amen in him, to the glory of God through us.
21 Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God;
22 Who has also sealed us, and given the guarantee of the Spirit in our hearts.
23 Moreover I call God as a witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come as yet to Corinth.
24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith you stand.
1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in sadness.
2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that makes me glad, but the one who is made sorry by me?
3 And I wrote this same to you, so that, when I came, I would not have sorrow from those for whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly for you.
5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, except in part: so that I may not be too severe on you all.
6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment, which was inflicted by many.
7 So that on the contrary you ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, so that he will not perhaps be swallowed up with too much sorrow.
8 Therefore I plead with you that you would confirm your love toward him.
9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know your trustworthiness, whether you are obedient in all things.
10 To whom you forgive anything, I forgive also: for if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes I forgave it in the person of Christ;
11 So that Satan would not get an advantage over us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from there into Macedonia.
14 Now thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes known the fragrance of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are to God a sweet fragrance of Christ in those who are saved and in those who are perishing:
16 To the one we are the fragrance of death unto death; and to the other the fragrance of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
17 For we are not like many, who corrupt the word of God: but as men of sincerity, but as men from God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, like some others, letters of recommendation to you, or letters of recommendation from you?
2 You are our letter written in our hearts, known and read by all men:
3 In that you are plainly declared to be the letter of Christ presented by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
4 And such trust have we through Christ towards God:
5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to think anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;
6 Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.
7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance; which glory was to come to an end:
8 How shall not the ministry of the spirit be more glorious?
9 For if the ministry of condemnation is glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness exceed it in glory.
10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that surpasses it.
11 For if that which has come to an end was glorious, much more is that which remains glorious.
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13 And not like Moses, who put a veil over his face, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly see the end of that which is now abolished:
14 But their minds were blinded: for to this day the same veil is still not removed in the reading of the old testament; which veil comes to an end in Christ.
15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with unveiled faces beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
1 Therefore seeing that we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not faint;
2 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.
3 But if our gospel is hidden, it is hidden to those who are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our bodies.
11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be clearly seen in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death works in us, but life in you.
13 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;
14 Knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise us up also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many bear fruit to the glory of God.
16 For which reason we do not faint; but though our outward man is perishing, yet the inner man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
1 For we know that if our earthly house in this dwelling place is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this house we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our house which is from heaven:
3 If indeed being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we who are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not that we would be unclothed, but clothed, that mortality might be swallowed up in life.
5 Now he that has fashioned us for this very thing is God, who also has given to us the guarantee of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Therefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted by him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; so that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether it is good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made known to God; and I trust also are made known in your consciences.
12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who glory in appearance, and not in heart.
13 For if we are out of our minds, it is for God: or if we are sober, it is for your sakes.
14 For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then all were dead:
15 And that he died for all, so that those who live should not henceforth live for themselves, but for him who died for them, and rose again.
16 Therefore from this time on we know no one according to the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet from now on we know him in this way no more.
17 Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
18 And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 That is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God pleaded with you by us: we appeal to you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1 We, then, as workers together with him, plead with you also that you do not receive the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he says, I have heard you in a time that is accepted, and in the day of salvation have I helped you: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3 Giving no offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonment, in tumults, in labor, in sleeplessness, in fasting;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 O you Corinthians, our mouth is open to you, our heart is enlarged.
12 You are not limited within us, but you are limited in your own affections.
13 Now as a recompense for this, (I speak as to my children,) be ye also enlarged.
14 Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness?
15 And what harmony does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion has he that believes with an infidel?
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Receive us; we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.
3 I speak this not to condemn you: for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die and live with you.
4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying over you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.
5 For, when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; outside were conflicts, inside were fears.
6 Nevertheless God, who comforts those who are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced all the more.
8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same letter has made you sorry, though it was but for a season.
9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might receive harm from us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death.
11 For behold this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly way, 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 correction of wrongs! In all things you have shown yourselves to be clear in this matter.
12 Therefore, though I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of the one who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.
13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yes, and we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
14 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.
15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, while he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.
16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 That in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their generosity.
3 For to the limit of their ability, I bear witness, yes, and beyond their ability they were willing of themselves;
4 Praying us with much urgency that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministry to the saints.
5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first they gave themselves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God,
6 To the extent that we desired of Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
7 Therefore, as you abound in everything, in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also.
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the eagerness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich.
10 And in this I give my advice: for this is helpful for you, who began already, not only to do, but also to be eager a year ago.
11 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.
12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man has, and not according to what he has not.
13 For I do not mean that others should be freed, and you burdened:
14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
15 As it is written, He who had gathered much had nothing left over; and he who had gathered little had no lack.
16 But thanks be to God, who put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more earnest, of his own accord he went to you.
18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in connection with the gospel throughout all the churches;
19 And not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and as a declaration of your ready mind:
20 Avoiding this, that no one should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which I have in you.
23 If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you: or if our brethren are inquired about, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore show them, and before the churches, the evidence of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
1 For concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you:
2 For I know the readiness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has provoked very many.
3 Yet have I sent the brethren, so that our boasting about you would not be in vain in this respect; that, as I said, you may be ready:
4 Lest perhaps if those of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) would be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they should go on ahead to you, and prepare beforehand your generosity, of which you had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of generosity, and not as of compulsion.
6 But this I say, He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows abundantly shall also reap abundantly.
7 Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make every grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He has scattered abroad; he has given to the poor: his righteousness remains for ever.
10 Now may he who ministers seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in everything to all abundance, which causes through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the need of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings to God;
13 While by the trustworthiness of this ministry they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for your generous distribution to them, and to everyone;
14 And by their prayer for you, who long for you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
1 Now I Paul myself plead with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
2 But I plead with you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence with which I think to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having readiness to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
7 Do you look on things according to the outward appearance? If anyone trusts to himself that he is Christ's, let him think this again to himself, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
8 For even if I boasted somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord has given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I would not be ashamed:
9 So that I may not seem as if I am terrifying you by letters.
10 For his letters, they say, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
11 Let such a one think this, that, just as we are in word by letters when we are absent, so will we be also in deed when we are present.
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 But we will not boast of things beyond our limits, but according to the limit of the sphere which God has assigned us, a limit to reach even to you.
14 For we do not stretch ourselves beyond our limit, as though we did not reach you: for we have come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
15 Not boasting of things beyond our limit, that is, of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our sphere abundantly,
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready for our hand.
17 But he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.
18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
1 If only you could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed do bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear that by some means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds will be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he who 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 put up with it.
5 For I suppose I was not at all behind the very chief apostles.
6 But though I am unskilled in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly made known among you in all things.
7 Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that you might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them, to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and lacked, I was chargeable to no one: 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 to you, and so will I keep myself.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall deprive me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows.
12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may remove opportunity from those who desire opportunity; that in the things they find glory in, they may be found even as we.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also are transformed to appear as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
16 I say again, Let no one think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
17 That which I speak, I do not speak it according to the Lord, but as if foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Seeing that many glory in the flesh, I will glory also.
19 For you permit fools gladly, seeing that you yourselves are wise.
20 For you allow it, if a man brings you into bondage, if a man devours you, if a man takes from you, if a man exalts himself, if a man strikes you on the face.
21 I speak concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. However wherever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the descendents of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes beyond measure, in prisons more frequent, in danger of death often.
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes save one.
25 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;
26 In journeys often, in peril from rivers, in peril from robbers, in peril from my own countrymen, in peril from the heathen, in peril in the city, in peril in the wilderness, in peril in the sea, in peril among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Besides those things that are external, that which comes upon me daily, the anxiety for all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I am not angry?
30 If I must glory, I will glory in the things which concern my weaknesses.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for evermore, knows that I do not lie.
32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me:
33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ more than fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows); such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;)
4 How he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such a one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, except in my weaknesses.
6 For even if I desired to glory, I would not be a fool; for I would say the truth: but now I refrain, so that no one will think of me above that which he sees me to be, or that he hears of me.
7 And so that I would not be exalted beyond measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to assault me, lest I should be exalted beyond measure.
8 For this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 I have become a fool in glorying; 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 am nothing.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were done among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, unless it is that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong.
14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I do not seek your possessions, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
16 But granting that I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
17 Did I get a gain from you by any of those whom I sent to you?
18 I desired Titus to go, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus get a gain from you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
20 For I fear, that, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would like, and that I shall be found by you such as you would not like: lest there be debates, envying, wrath, strife, backbiting, whispering, pride, tumults:
21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall mourn many who have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
2 I told you before, and tell you beforehand, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to those who previously have sinned, and to all others, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
3 Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak towards you, but is mighty in you.
4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God exercised towards you.
5 Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; carefully consider your own selves. Do you not know your own selves, how Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are lost?
6 But I trust that you shall know that we are not lost.
7 Now I pray to God that you will do no evil; not that we should appear to be approved, but that you should do that which is honest, though we may seem to be lost.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and you are strong: and this also we desire, even your perfection.
10 Therefore I write these things being absent, so that being present I need not use severity, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification, and not for destruction.
11 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.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.