who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living.

Therefore when I was planning to do this, I did not do so without thinking about what I was doing, did I? Or do I make my plans according to mere human standards so that I would be saying both “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?

And I wrote this very thing to you, so that when I came I would not have sadness from those who ought to make me rejoice, since I am confident in you all that my joy would be yours.

Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.

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

if indeed, after we have put on our heavenly house, we will not be found naked.

for we live by faith, not by sight.

For even if I made you sad by my letter, I do not regret having written it (even though I did regret it, for I see that my letter made you sad, though only for a short time).

For if I have boasted to him about anything concerning you, I have not been embarrassed by you, but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus about you has proved true as well.

For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily,

For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards,

For I consider myself not at all inferior to those “super-apostles.”

Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one.

But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.

I am afraid that when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will grieve for many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced.

I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone,

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,

who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.

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.