But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit!

For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified.<n id="1" />

just as also you have partly understood us, that we are your source of pride just as you also are ours<n id="1" /> in the day of the Lord Jesus.<n id="2" />

For we are not like so many others, hucksters who peddle the word of God for profit,<n id="1" /> but we are speaking in Christ before<n id="2" /> God as persons of sincerity,<n id="3" /> as persons sent from God.p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power<n id="1" /> belongs to God and does not come from us.

I do not say this to condemn you, for I told you before<n id="1" /> that you are in our hearts so that we die together and live together with you.<n id="2" />p>

And his affection for you is much greater<n id="1" /> when he remembers the obedience of you all, how you welcomed him with fear and trembling.

For you know the grace<n id="1" /> of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich.

And we are sending<n id="1" /> with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you.

But I am sending<n id="1" /> these brothers so that our boasting about you may not be empty in this case, so that you may be ready<n id="2" /> just as I kept telling them.

because the service of this ministry is not only providing for<n id="1" /> the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God.

You are looking at outward appearances.<n id="1" /> If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we.

Let such a person consider this: What we say<n id="1" /> by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present.p>

As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine<n id="1" /> will not be stopped<n id="2" /> in the regions of Achaia.

Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves<n id="1" /> as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions.<n id="2" />p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">I say again, let no one think that I am a fool.<n id="1" /> But if you do, then at least accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking like I am out of my mind!) I am even more so: with much greater labors, with far more imprisonments, with more severe beatings, facing death many times.

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

Therefore I am content with<n id="1" /> weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties<n id="2" /> for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison<n id="1" /> to those &#8220;super-apostles,&#8221; even though I am nothing.