You know that when you were pagans you were often led astray by speechless idols, however you were led.

For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit,

It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful.

For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit.

If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.

Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is useless; you are still in your sins.

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

I do not mean that we rule over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because by faith you stand firm.

But if anyone has caused sadness, he has not saddened me alone, but to some extent (not to exaggerate) he has saddened all of you as well.

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.

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?

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? We don’t need letters of recommendation to you or from you as some other people do, do we?

You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone,

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as if it were coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,

For if there was glory in the ministry that produced condemnation, how much more does the ministry that produces righteousness excel in glory!

Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

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

For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death.