[1] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy
our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the
saints who are in the whole of Achaia: [2] Grace to you and peace from God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [3] Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; [4]
who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those
who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are
comforted by God. [5] For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so
our comfort also abounds through Christ. [6] But if we are afflicted, it is
for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your
comfort, which works in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which
we also suffer. [7] Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that, since you
are partakers of the sufferings, so also are you of the comfort. [8] For we
don`t desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction
which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond
our power, so much that we despaired even of life. [9] Yes, we ourselves
have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust
in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, [10] who delivered us out of
so great a death, and does deliver; on whom we have set our hope that he
will also still deliver us; [11] you also helping together on our behalf by
your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed on us by means of many,
thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf. [12] For our boasting
is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of
God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in
the world, and more abundantly toward you. [13] For we write no other
things to you, than what you read or even acknowledge, and I hope you will
acknowledge to the end; [14] as also you acknowledged us in part, that we
are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
[15] In this confidence, I was determined to come first to you, that you
might have a second benefit; [16] and by you to pass into Macedonia, and
again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be sent forward by you on my
journey to Judea. [17] When I therefore was thus determined, did I show
fickleness? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the
flesh, that with me there should be the "Yes, yes" and the "No, no?" [18]
But as God is faithful, our word toward you was not "Yes and no." [19] For
the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me,
Silvanus, and Timothy, was not "Yes and no," but in him is "Yes." [20] For
however many are the promises of God, in him is the "Yes." Therefore also
through him is the "Amen," to the glory of God through us. [21] Now he who
establishes us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; [22] who also
sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts. [23]
But I call God for a witness to my soul, that I didn`t come to Corinth to
spare you. [24] Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are fellow
workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.
