For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth.

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? We don’t need letters of recommendation to you or from you as some other people do, do we? ¹ 

And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

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.

Finally, brothers and sisters, 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 made us adequate ¹  to be servants of a new covenant ²  not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing –

God ¹  made the one who did not know sin ²  to be sin for us, so that in him ³  we would become the righteousness of God.

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.

Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves ¹  as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions. ² 

This is the third time I am coming to visit ¹  you. By the testimony ²  of two or three witnesses every matter will be established. 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 

For the love of Christ ¹  controls us, since we have concluded this, that Christ ²  died for all; therefore all have died.

so that we may preach the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast of work already done in another person’s area.

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

I am afraid that ¹  when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will grieve for ²  many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced.

But if anyone has caused sadness, he has not saddened me alone, but to some extent (not to exaggerate) ¹  he has saddened all of you as well.

And his affection for you is much greater ¹  when he remembers the obedience of you all, how you welcomed him with fear and trembling.

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves ¹  from everything that could defile the body ²  and the spirit, and thus accomplish ³  holiness out of reverence for God. ⁴ 

And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are ¹  the temple of the living God, just as God said, “I will live in them ²  and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” ³