Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose ¹  is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. ² 

But as God’s servants, ¹  we have commended ourselves in every way, ²  with great endurance, in persecutions, ³  in difficulties, in distresses,

Therefore show ¹  them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you. ² 

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,

We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience, ¹  whenever your obedience is complete.

On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses.

Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not have ¹  to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

He ¹  delivered us from so great a risk of death, and he will deliver us. We have set our hope on him ²  that ³  he will deliver us yet again,

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 

For we who are alive are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible ¹  in our mortal body. ² 

In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and he has given us ¹  the message of reconciliation.

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea ¹  through us. We plead with you ²  on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!”

Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. ¹ 

I do not say this to condemn you, for I told you before ¹  that you are in our hearts so that we die together and live together with you. ² 

For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death.

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

My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously ¹  will also reap generously.

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.

For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, ¹  to present you as a pure ²  virgin to Christ.