For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have.

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we behave with great boldness,

And with this confidence I intended to come to you first so that you would get a second opportunity to see us,

Now we have such confidence in God through Christ.

Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, we do not become discouraged.

We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

as sorrowful, but always rejoicing, as poor, but making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

I had no relief in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-bye to them and set out for Macedonia.

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.

But since we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in what has been written, “I believed; therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak.

For we know that if our earthly house, the tent we live in, is dismantled, we have a building from God, a house not built by human hands, that is eternal in the heavens.

We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may be able to answer those who take pride in outward appearance and not in what is in the heart.

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that could defile the body and the spirit, and thus accomplish holiness out of reverence for God.

For even when we came into Macedonia, our body had no rest at all, but we were troubled in every way – struggles from the outside, fears from within.

to finish what you started, so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, you can also complete it according to your means.

And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work.

Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.

And I wrote this very thing to you, so that when I came I would not have sadness from those who ought to make me rejoice, since I am confident in you all that my joy would be yours.

For out of great distress and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not to make you sad, but to let you know the love that I have especially for you.

Nor do we boast beyond certain limits in the work done by others, but we hope that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded among you according to our limits,