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.

Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.<n id="1" />

and through your help to go on into Macedonia and then from Macedonia to come back<n id="1" /> to you and be helped on our way into Judea by you.

For this reason also I wrote you:<n id="1" /> to test you to see<n id="2" /> if you are obedient in everything.

Now when I arrived in Troas<n id="1" /> to proclaim the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord had opened<n id="2" /> a door of opportunity<n id="3" /> for me,

to the latter an odor<n id="1" /> from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?<n id="2" />

<i>and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughtersi>,&#8221;<n id="1" /> says the All-Powerful Lord.<n id="2" />p>

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

Therefore show<n id="1" /> them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.<n id="2" />p>

Through the evidence<n id="1" /> of this service<n id="2" /> they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your sharing<n id="3" /> with them and with everyone.

And God is able to make all grace overflow<n id="1" /> to you so that because you have enough<n id="2" /> of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow<n id="3" /> in every good work.

For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us<n id="1" /> for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.<n id="2" />

But it is God who establishes<n id="1" /> us together with you in Christ and who anointed us,<n id="2" />

At the present time, your abundance will meet their need,<n id="1" /> so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality,

You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion,<n id="1" /> which is producing through us thanksgiving to God,

For such people are false apostles, deceitful<n id="1" /> workers, disguising themselves<n id="2" /> as apostles of Christ.

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself<n id="1" /> as an angel of light.

<t /><p class="bodytext">It is necessary to go on boasting.<n id="1" /> Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

Nor do we boast beyond certain limits<n id="1" /> in the work<n id="2" /> done by others, but we hope<n id="3" /> that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded<n id="4" /> among you according to our limits,<n id="5" />

Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive<n id="1" /> I may not have to deal harshly with you<n id="2" /> by using my authority &#8211; the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!p>