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

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

I do not mean that we rule over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because by faith you stand firm. ¹ 

Not that we are adequate ¹  in ourselves to consider anything as if it were coming from ourselves, but our adequacy ²  is from God,

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power ¹  belongs to God and does not come from us.

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

since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He ¹  is not weak toward you but is powerful among you.

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

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!

and not like Moses who used to put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites ¹  from staring ²  at the result ³  of the glory that was made ineffective. ⁴ 

Now we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong, not so that we may appear to have passed the test, ¹  but so that you may do what is right ²  even if we may appear to have failed the test. ³ 

because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, ¹  he is coming ²  to you of his own accord. ³ 

Therefore we do not despair, ¹  but even if our physical body ²  is wearing away, our inner person ³  is being renewed day by day.

as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying and yet – see! – we continue to live; as those who are scourged ¹  and yet not executed;

Each one of you should give ¹  just as he has decided in his heart, ²  not reluctantly ³  or under compulsion, ⁴  because God loves a cheerful giver.

because the service of this ministry is not only providing for ¹  the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God.

because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

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!

As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine ¹  will not be stopped ²  in the regions of Achaia.

For I am afraid that somehow when I come I will not find you what I wish, and you will find me ¹  not what you wish. I am afraid that ²  somehow there may be quarreling, jealousy, intense anger, selfish ambition, ³  slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.