Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

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

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

For every one of God’s promises are “Yes” in him; therefore also through him the “Amen” is spoken, to the glory we give to God.

And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel.

Just as it is written, “He has scattered widely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.”

but I was let down in a rope-basket through a window in the city wall, and escaped his hands.

But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and who makes known through us the fragrance that consists of the knowledge of him in every place.

and not like Moses who used to put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from staring at the result of the glory that was made ineffective.

Therefore we have been encouraged. And in addition to our own encouragement, we rejoiced even more at the joy of Titus, because all of you have refreshed his spirit.

And his affection for you is much greater when he remembers the obedience of you all, how you welcomed him with fear and trembling.

Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions.

But if the ministry that produced death – carved in letters on stone tablets – came with glory, so that the Israelites could not keep their eyes fixed on the face of Moses because of the glory of his face (a glory which was made ineffective),

We were encouraged not only by his arrival, but also by the encouragement you gave him, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your deep concern for me, so that I rejoiced more than ever.

But I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by his treachery, your minds may be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.