because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

For if any of the Macedonians should come with me and find that you are not ready to give, we would be humiliated (not to mention you) by this confidence we had in you.

I say again, let no one think that I am a fool. But if you do, then at least accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I would not become arrogant.

So I made up my own mind not to pay you another painful visit.

so that we may not be exploited by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his schemes).

We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

I do not want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters,

I have not taken advantage of you through anyone I have sent to you, have I?

For I am afraid that somehow when I come I will not find you what I wish, and you will find me not what you wish. I am afraid that somehow there may be quarreling, jealousy, intense anger, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

I am afraid that when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will grieve for many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced.

For if I make you sad, who would be left to make me glad but the one I caused to be sad?

But if anyone has caused sadness, he has not saddened me alone, but to some extent (not to exaggerate) he has saddened all of you as well.

so that now instead you should rather forgive and comfort him. This will keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive grief to the point of despair.

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? We don’t need letters of recommendation to you or from you as some other people do, do we?

God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.

Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying and yet – see! – we continue to live; as those who are scourged and yet not executed;

Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

We did this as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering.