For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not acquitted because of this. The one who judges me is the Lord.

If we sowed spiritual blessings among you, is it too much to reap material things from you?

Instead I subdue my body and make it my slave, so that after preaching to others I myself will not be disqualified.

and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you can send me on my journey, wherever I go.

Now I appeal to God as my witness, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth.

For if I make you sad, who would be left to make me glad but the one I caused to be sad?

For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified.

nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, but right away I departed to Arabia, and then returned to Damascus.

I beg you, brothers and sisters, become like me, because I have become like you. You have done me no wrong!

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance.

He died for us so that whether we are alert or asleep we will come to life together with him.

I wanted to keep him so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel.

So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

And by this we will know that we are of the truth and will convince our conscience in his presence,

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you?

And who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me?

I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’

I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.”