because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.p>

For if any of the Macedonians should come with me and find that you are not ready to give, we would be humiliated<n id="1" /> (not to mention you) by this confidence we had in you.<n id="2" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">I say again, let no one think that I am a fool.<n id="1" /> But if you do, then at least accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore,<n id="1" /> so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble<n id="2" /> me &#8211; so that I would not become arrogant.<n id="3" />

So<n id="1" /> I made up my own mind<n id="2" /> not to pay you another painful visit.<n id="3" />

so that we may not be exploited<n id="1" /> by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his schemes).

We do not give anyone<n id="1" /> an occasion for taking an offense in anything,<n id="2" /> so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

I do not want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters,

I have not taken advantage of you through anyone I have sent to you, have I?<n id="1" />

For I am afraid that somehow when I come I will not find you what I wish, and you will find me<n id="1" /> not what you wish. I am afraid that<n id="2" /> somehow there may be quarreling, jealousy, intense anger, selfish ambition,<n id="3" /> slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

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

For if I make you sad, who would be left to make me glad<n id="1" /> but the one I caused to be sad?

But if anyone has caused sadness, he has not saddened me alone, but to some extent (not to exaggerate)<n id="1" /> he has saddened all of you as well.

so that now instead<n id="1" /> you should rather forgive and comfort him.<n id="2" /> This will keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive grief to the point of despair.<n id="3" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? We don&#8217;t need letters of recommendation to you or from you as some other people do, do we?<n id="1" />

God<n id="1" /> made the one who did not know sin<n id="2" /> to be sin for us, so that in him<n id="3" /> we would become the righteousness of God.p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.<n id="1" />

as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying and yet &#8211; see! &#8211; we continue to live; as those who are scourged<n id="1" /> and yet not executed;

<t /><p class="bodytext">Do not become partners<n id="1" /> with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

We did this<n id="1" /> as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering.