For all these things are for your sake, so that the grace that is including<n id="1" /> more and more people may cause thanksgiving to increase<n id="2" /> to the glory of God.

We are not trying to commend<n id="1" /> ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us,<n id="2" /> so that you may be able to answer those who take pride<n id="3" /> in outward appearance<n id="4" /> and not in what is in the heart.

And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised.<n id="1" />

Now I rejoice, not because you were made sad,<n id="1" /> but because you were made sad to the point of repentance. For you were made sad as God intended,<n id="2" /> so that you were not harmed<n id="3" /> in any way by us.

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.

For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.

For if any of the Macedonians should come with me and find that you are not ready to give, we would be humiliated<n id="1" /> (not to mention you) by this confidence we had in you.<n id="2" />

And God is able to make all grace overflow<n id="1" /> to you so that because you have enough<n id="2" /> of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow<n id="3" /> in every good work.

<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.

Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us,<n id="1" /> so that we would not trust in ourselves<n id="2" /> but in God who raises the dead.

Therefore when I was planning to do this, I did not do so without thinking about what I was doing, did I?<n id="1" /> Or do I make my plans<n id="2" /> according to mere human standards<n id="3" /> so that I would be saying<n id="4" /> both &#8220;Yes, yes&#8221; and &#8220;No, no&#8221; at the same time?

And I wrote this very thing to you,<n id="1" /> so that when I came<n id="2" /> 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.

For we groan while we are in this tent,<n id="1" /> since we are weighed down,<n id="2" /> because we do not want to be unclothed, but clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,<n id="1" /> so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.<n id="2" />p>

But as you excel<n id="1" /> in everything &#8211; in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you<n id="2" /> &#8211; make sure that you excel<n id="3" /> in this act of kindness<n id="4" /> too.

Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance and to arrange ahead of time the generous contribution<n id="1" /> you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous gift<n id="2" /> and not as something you feel forced to do.<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.

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>