As a result, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Our affection for you is not restricted, but you are restricted in your affections for us.

For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison

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

And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

But we will not boast beyond certain limits, but will confine our boasting according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us, that reaches even as far as you.

In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation.

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.