But it is God who establishes us together with you in Christ and who anointed us,

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

Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Thus we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, so also he should complete this act of kindness for you.

For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit!

For you put up with it if someone makes slaves of you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone behaves arrogantly toward you, if someone strikes you in the face.

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

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

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide to you.

Make room for us in your hearts; we have wronged no one, we have ruined no one, we have exploited no one.

because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, he is coming to you of his own accord.

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

Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me.

who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living.

For even if I made you sad by my letter, I do not regret having written it (even though I did regret it, for I see that my letter made you sad, though only for a short time).

Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away!) –