For in this earthly house ¹  we groan, because we desire to put on ²  our heavenly dwelling,

We do not give anyone ¹  an occasion for taking an offense in anything, ²  so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit, ¹  by genuine ²  love,

through glory and dishonor, through slander and praise; regarded as impostors, ¹  and yet true;

begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping ¹  the saints.

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,

For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends.

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.

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 

Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, ¹  so that we would not trust in ourselves ²  but in God who raises the dead.

For every one of God’s promises are “Yes” in him; therefore also through him the “Amen” is spoken, to the glory we give to God.

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.

I had no relief in my spirit, ¹  because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-bye to them ²  and set out ³  for Macedonia.

But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession ¹  in Christ ²  and who makes known ³  through us the fragrance that consists of the knowledge of him in every place.

We do so ¹  because we know that the one who raised up Jesus ²  will also raise us up with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence.

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!”

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 

Now God ¹  who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow.

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.

It is necessary to go on boasting. ¹  Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.