I have great confidence in you; I take great pride ¹  on your behalf. I am filled with encouragement; ²  I am overflowing with joy in the midst of ³  all our suffering.

Apart from other things, ¹  there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern ²  for all the churches.

Now when I arrived in Troas ¹  to proclaim the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord had opened ²  a door of opportunity ³  for me,

and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” ¹  says the All-Powerful Lord. ² 

For it is not necessary ¹  for me to write you about this service ²  to the saints,

even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, ¹  so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble ²  me – so that I would not become arrogant. ³ 

But ¹  he said to me, “My grace is enough ²  for you, for my ³  power is made perfect ⁴  in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly ⁵  about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in ⁶  me.

For how 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 ¹  I may not have to deal harshly with you ²  by using my authority – the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!