But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing,

For our momentary, light suffering<n id="1" /> is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison

Thus<n id="1" /> we urged<n id="2" /> Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work,<n id="3" /> so also he should complete this act of kindness<n id="4" /> for you.

I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others.<n id="1" />

<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,

Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself<n id="1" /> so that you could be exalted, because I proclaimed<n id="2" /> the gospel of God to you free of charge?

as you also join in helping us by prayer, so that many people may give thanks to God<n id="1" /> on our behalf for the gracious gift given to us through the help of many.p>

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>

Therefore we have been encouraged. And in addition to our own encouragement, we rejoiced even more at the joy of Titus, because all of you have refreshed his spirit.<n id="1" />

that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth<n id="1" /> of their generosity.

because I know your eagerness to help.<n id="1" /> I keep boasting to the Macedonians about this eagerness of yours,<n id="2" /> that Achaia has been ready to give<n id="3" /> since last year, and your zeal to participate<n id="4" /> has stirred up most of them.<n id="5" />

now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving<n id="1" /> according to human standards.<n id="2" />

But we will not boast beyond certain limits,<n id="1" /> but will confine our boasting<n id="2" /> according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us,<n id="3" /> that reaches even as far as you.

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">Finally, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

who comforts us in all our troubles<n id="1" /> so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble<n id="2" /> with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

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.

<t /><p class="bodytext">For our reason for confidence<n id="1" /> is this: the testimony of our conscience, that with pure motives<n id="2" /> and sincerity which are from God<n id="3" /> &#8211; not by human wisdom<n id="4" /> but by the grace of God &#8211; we conducted ourselves in the world, and all the more<n id="5" /> toward you.

<t /><p class="bodytext">But if the ministry that produced death &#8211; carved in letters on stone tablets<n id="1" /> &#8211; came with glory, so that the Israelites<n id="2" /> could not keep their eyes fixed on the face of Moses because of the glory of his face<n id="3" /> (a glory<n id="4" /> which was made ineffective),<n id="5" />

But their minds were closed.<n id="1" /> For to this very day, the same veil remains when they hear the old covenant read.<n id="2" /> It has not been removed because only in Christ is it taken away.<n id="3" />