<t /><p class="bodytext">I have great confidence in you; I take great pride<n id="1" /> on your behalf. I am filled with encouragement;<n id="2" /> I am overflowing with joy in the midst of<n id="3" /> all our suffering.

Apart from other things,<n id="1" /> there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern<n id="2" /> for all the churches.

Now when I arrived in Troas<n id="1" /> to proclaim the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord had opened<n id="2" /> a door of opportunity<n id="3" /> for me,

<i>and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughtersi>,&#8221;<n id="1" /> says the All-Powerful Lord.<n id="2" />p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">For it is not necessary<n id="1" /> for me to write you about this service<n id="2" /> to the saints,

even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore,<n id="1" /> so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble<n id="2" /> me &#8211; so that I would not become arrogant.<n id="3" />

But<n id="1" /> he said to me, &#8220;My grace is enough<n id="2" /> for you, for my<n id="3" /> power is made perfect<n id="4" /> in weakness.&#8221; So then, I will boast most gladly<n id="5" /> about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in<n id="6" /> me.

For how<n id="1" /> were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice!

Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive<n id="1" /> I may not have to deal harshly with you<n id="2" /> by using my authority &#8211; the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!p>