For I do not want to see you now in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows.

For we do not write you anything other than what you can read and also understand. But I hope that you will understand completely

I had no relief in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-bye to them and set out for Macedonia.

For we are not like so many others, hucksters who peddle the word of God for profit, but we are speaking in Christ before God as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God.

who made us adequate to be servants of a new covenant not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

and not like Moses who used to put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from staring at the result of the glory that was made ineffective.

Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day.

We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may be able to answer those who take pride in outward appearance and not in what is in the heart.

I do not say this to condemn you, for I told you before that you are in our hearts so that we die together and live together with you.

Now I rejoice, not because you were made sad, but because you were made sad to the point of repentance. For you were made sad as God intended, so that you were not harmed in any way by us.

So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give,

For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.

because the service of this ministry is not only providing for the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God.

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.

For we were not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach as far as you, because we were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel about Christ.

As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.

Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions.

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

And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows)

since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak toward you but is powerful among you.