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us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God. 13 Therefore we have been com

forted: and in our comfort we joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit hath been refreshed by 14 you all. For if in any thing

I have gloried to him on your behalf, I was not put to shame; but as we spake all things to you in truth, so our glorying also, which I made before Titus, was found to be truth. 15 And his inward affection is more abundantly toward you,1 Gr. whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received 16 him. I rejoice that in every thing I am of good courage concerning you.

8 Moreover, brethren, we make

known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the 2 churches of Macedonia; how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their 1 libe3 rality. For according to their

singleness.

ancient authorities read our love to you.

power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave 4 of their own accord, beseeching 2 Some us with much intreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to 5 the saints: and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of 6 God. Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you 7 this grace also. But as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in 2 your love to us, see that ye 8 abound in this grace also. I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of

others the sincerity also of your love. For ye know the grace 9 of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich. And here- 10 in I give my judgement: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will. But now complete 11 the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability. For 12 if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not. For I say not this, that 13 others may be eased, and ye distressed: but by equality; 14 your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality: as it is written, He 15 that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.

But thanks be to God, which 16 putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. For indeed he accepted our 17 exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord. And we have sent together 18 with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches; and 19 not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to shew our readiness: avoiding this, that any 20 man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us: for we 21 take thought for things honourable, not only in the sight

of the Lord, but also in the 22 sight of men. And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he hath in you. 23 Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward; or our brethren, they are the 1 messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ. 24 2Shew ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf.

9

1 Gr.
apostles.

2 Or, Shew
ye there-
fore in the
face...
on your

behalf
unto them.

3 Or,.
emulation
of you

[blocks in formation]

He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever. And he that supplieth seed 10 to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: ye being en- 11 riched in everything unto all 9 liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God. For the ministration of 12 this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God; seeing that through 13 the proving of you by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution unto them and unto all; while they themselves 14 also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of 6 Or, covet God in you. Thanks be to God 15 for his unspeakable gift.

more

part.

5 Gr.
blessing.

For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2 for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that A-4 Gr. the chaia hath been prepared for a year past; and 3 your zeal hath stirred up 4very many of 3 them. But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect; that, even as I said, ye may be prepar4 ed lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in 5 this confidence. I thought it necessary therefore to intreat the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your aforepromised 5 bounty, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not of 6 extortion.

6

But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth 7 bountifully shall reap also 7 7 bountifully. Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart; not 8 grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth 8 & cheerful giver. And God is

ousness

Gr. with blessings.

8 Gr.
of sorrow.

9 Gr.
singleness.

Now I Paul myself intreat 10 you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you: yea, 2 I beseech you, that I may not when present shew courage with the confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some, which count of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in 3 the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the 4 weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down

reason

ings

2 Or, Do ye
look...
face i

5 of strong holds); casting down 1 imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against 1 Or. the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of 6 Christ; and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be 7 fulfilled. 2 Ye look at the things that are before your face. If any man trusteth in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ's, 8 so also are we. For though Í should glory somewhat abundantly concerning our authority (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down), I shall not 9 be put to shame: that I may not seem as if I would terrify 10 you by my letters. For, His letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his 11 speech of no account.

3 Gr.
to judge
ourselves
among, or
to judge
ourselves
with.

Let 5

such a one reckon this, that, what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are 12 present. For we are not bold

rod.

Or, were the first to come

faith groweth, we shall be mag-
nified in you according to our
4 province unto further abun-
dance, so as to preach the 16
gospel even unto the parts
beyond you, and not to glory
in another's province in regard
of things ready to our hand.
But he that glorieth, let him 17
glory in the Lord. For not 18
he that commendeth himself is
approved, but whom the Lord
commendeth.

Would that ye could bear 11
with me in a little foolishness:
6nay indeed bear with me. For 2
I am jealous over you with 7 a
godly jealousy: for I espoused
you to one husband, that I
might present you as a pure
virgin to Christ. But I fear, 3
4 Or, limit lest by any means, as the ser
Gr. mea-pent beguiled Eve in his crafti-
suring-
ness, your 8 minds should be
corrupted from the simplicity
and the purity that is toward
Christ. For if he that cometh 4
preacheth another Jesus, whom
we did not preach, or if ye
receive a different spirit, which
ye did not receive, or a differ-
ent gospel, which ye did not
accept, ye do well to bear with
him. For I reckon that I am 5
not a whit behind 9 the very
chiefest apostles. But though 6
I be rude in speech, yet am
I not in knowledge; nay, in
every thing we have made it
manifest among all men to
you-ward. Or did I commit a 7
sin in abasing myself that ye
might be exalted, because I
preached to you the gospel of
God for nought? I robbed 8
other churches, taking wages
of them that I might minister
unto you; and when I was pre- 9
sent with you and was in want,
I was not a burden on any man;
for the brethren, when they
came from Macedonia, sup-
plied the measure of my want;
and in every thing I kept myself

6 Or, but
indeed ye
do bear
with me.

to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with 7 Gr. a themselves, are without un- jealousy 13 derstanding. But we will not of God. glory beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the 4 province which God ap- 8 Gr. portioned to us as a measure, 14 to reach even unto you. For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for we 5 came even as far as unto you in 15 the gospel of Christ:

not

glorying beyond our measure, that is, in other men's labours; but having hope that, as your

thoughts.

9 Or,
those pre-

eminent
apostles

from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in

occasion
of them.

me, no man shall stop me of this glorying in the regions of 11 Achaia. Wherefore? because I 1 Gr. the love you not? God knoweth. 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off 1occasion from them which desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even 13 as we. For such men are false apostles, deceitful work- 2 Gr. race. ers, fashioning themselves into. 11 apostles of Christ. And no

marvel for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel 15 of light. It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

16 I say again, Let no man think me foolish; but if ye do, yet as foolish receive me, that 17 I also may glory a little. That

which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of glorying. 18 Seeing that many glory after 19 the flesh, I will glory also. For

deaths oft. Of the Jews five 24 times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten 25 with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep; in journeyings 26 often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my 2 countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in labour and travail, in watch- 27 ings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 3 Beside those things 28 that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, Beside the anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not 29 weak? who is made to stumble, and I burn not? If I 30 must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness. The God and 31 Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed 4 for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. In 32 Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes, in

3 Or.

things
which I
omit
Or, Beside
the things
that come
out of

course

ye bear with the foolish gladly, 4 Gr. unto order to take me: and through 33

20 being wise yourselves. For ye

the ages.

bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on 21 the face. I speak by way of 5 Some disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in 22 foolishness), I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? 23 so am I. Are they ministers

of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labours more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in

ancient authorities read Now to glory is not expedient, but I will come &c.

a window was I let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.

5I must needs glory, though 12 it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a 2 man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven. And 3 I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth), how that he was caught up 4 into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 On behalf of such a one will I glory but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in

but the parents for the children. And I will most gladly 15 spend and be 5 spent for your

6 my weaknesses. For if I should 1 Or, stake souls. If I love you more

2 Or,

cover me

Gr.spread a tabernacle

over me.

3 Or, those preeminent apostles

desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me 7 to be, or heareth from me. And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations wherefore, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not 8 be exalted overmuch. Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might 9 depart from me. And he hath said unto me, My grace is suffi- Gr. cient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the strength of Christ may 10 2 rest upon me. Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

11

I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind 3 the very chiefest apostles, 12 though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders 13 and mighty works. For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the

14

powers.

5 Gr. spent out.

6 Or.

Think ye ... you?

7 Or, disorders

8 Or, plainly

churches, except it be that I9Or, as if myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.

Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents,

I were present the second

time, even though I

am now absent

abundantly, am I loved the less? But be it so, I did not 16 myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile. Did I take advantage of you 17 by any one of them whom I have sent unto you? I exhort- 18 ed Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not by the same Spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

6 Ye think all this time that 19 we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. For I fear, lest by any 20 means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, 7 tumults; lest, when 21 I come again, my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed.

This is the third time I am 13 coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word be established. I 2 have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, 9 as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare; seeing that ye seek a proof 3 of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is powerful in you: for he 4 was crucified through weak

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