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For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men.

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

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.

But as God’s servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses,

And with this confidence I intended to come to you first so that you would get a second opportunity to see us,

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

If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show my weakness.

Nor do we boast beyond certain limits in the work done by others, but we hope that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded among you according to our limits,

to finish what you started, so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, you can also complete it according to your means.

And our hope for you is steadfast because we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort.

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

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

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

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?

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.

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.

It is necessary to go on boasting. Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

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

What I am saying with this boastful confidence I do not say the way the Lord would. Instead it is, as it were, foolishness.