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

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

For I consider myself not at all inferior to those “super-apostles.” ¹ 

And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised. ¹ 

Do not become partners ¹  with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

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.

I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone, ¹ 

who comforts us in all our troubles ¹  so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble ²  with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

For we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. ¹ 

And I wrote this very thing to you, ¹  so that when I came ²  I would not have sadness from those who ought to make me rejoice, since I am confident in you all that my joy would be yours.

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;

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.

among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe ¹  so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel ²  of Christ, ³  who is the image of God.

I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison ¹  to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

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.

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

But God, who encourages ¹  the downhearted, encouraged ²  us by the arrival of Titus.

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

Apart from other things, ¹  there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern ²  for all the churches.

now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving ¹  according to human standards. ²