For just as the sufferings ¹  of Christ ²  overflow ³  toward us, so also our comfort through Christ overflows to you. ⁴ 

So ¹  I made up my own mind ²  not to pay you another painful visit. ³ 

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

We are experiencing trouble on every side, ¹  but are not crushed; we are perplexed, ²  but not driven to despair;

For our momentary, light suffering ¹  is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison

Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, ¹  the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia,

For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, ¹ 

You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion, ¹  which is producing through us thanksgiving to God,

I have not taken advantage of you through anyone I have sent to you, have I? ¹ 

For our reason for confidence ¹  is this: the testimony of our conscience, that with pure motives ²  and sincerity which are from God ³  – not by human wisdom ⁴  but by the grace of God – we conducted ourselves in the world, and all the more ⁵  toward you.

For we do not write you anything other than what ¹  you can read and also understand. But I hope that you will understand completely ² 

Make room for us in your hearts; ¹  we have wronged no one, we have ruined no one, ²  we have exploited no one. ³ 

And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

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

and every arrogant obstacle ¹  that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey ²  Christ.

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

Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, ¹  we try to persuade ²  people, ³  but we are well known ⁴  to God, and I hope we are well known to your consciences too.

So then from now on we acknowledge ¹  no one from an outward human point of view. ²  Even though we have known Christ from such a human point of view, ³  now we do not know him in that way any longer.

At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, ¹  so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality,

And what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may eliminate any opportunity for those who want a chance to be regarded as our equals ¹  in the things they boast about.