Now in giving the following instruction I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse.

If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, he should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord’s command.

and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you – unless you believed in vain.

Sober up as you should, and stop sinning! For some have no knowledge of God – I say this to your shame!

Now if Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear among you, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I am too.

I was glad about the arrival of Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus because they have supplied the fellowship with you that I lacked.

But as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”

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.

Now when I arrived in Troas to proclaim the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord had opened a door of opportunity for me,

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing,

For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.

We do so because we know that the one who raised up Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence.

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

Therefore we are always full of courage, and we know that as long as we are alive here on earth we are absent from the Lord –

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;

But God, who encourages the downhearted, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.

Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia,

begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping the saints.

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