Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but {now} I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me {to be}, or {that} he heareth of me.

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. {believed: or, trusted}

For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which {I made} before Titus, is found a truth.

Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

According to my earnest expectation and {my} hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but {that} with all boldness, as always, {so} now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether {it be} by life, or by death.

Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but {we do} all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some {others}, epistles of commendation to you, or {letters} of commendation from you?

For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but {now} I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me {to be}, or {that} he heareth of me.

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. {after...: or, according to God}

Yet count {him} not as an enemy, but admonish {him} as a brother.

For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to {answer} them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. {in appearance: Gr. in the face}

For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which {I made} before Titus, is found a truth.

But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and {in} the spirit of meekness?

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and {that} I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest {there be} debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: