This punishment on such an individual by the majority is enough for him,

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

Let such a person consider this: What we say by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present.

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

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

So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give,

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.

Now we have such confidence in God through Christ.

For in this earthly house we groan, because we desire to put on our heavenly dwelling,

At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality,

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

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

Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority – the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!

He delivered us from so great a risk of death, and he will deliver us. We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again,

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.

For this reason also I wrote you: to test you to see if you are obedient in everything.

to the latter an odor from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?

For indeed, what had been glorious now has no glory because of the tremendously greater glory of what replaced it.

Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.