Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom.

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows I am not lying.

In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to arrest me,

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 in their prayers on your behalf they long for you because of the extraordinary grace God has shown to you.

So then, even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong, or on account of the one who was wronged, but to reveal to you your eagerness on our behalf before God.

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

But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you,

Apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern for all the churches.

For you put up with it if someone makes slaves of you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone behaves arrogantly toward you, if someone strikes you in the face.

for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments

Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with great perseverance by signs and wonders and powerful deeds.

We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

So then from now on we acknowledge no one from an outward human point of view. Even though we have known Christ from such a human point of view, now we do not know him in that way any longer.

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

For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow toward us, so also our comfort through Christ overflows to you.

Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away!) –

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.

On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses.