Study Desk

But [as] fellow-workmen, we also beseech that ye receive not the grace of God in vain:

but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,

as grieved, but always rejoicing; as poor, but enriching many; as having nothing, and possessing all things.

Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your affections;

but for an answering recompense, (I speak as to children,) let *your* heart also expand itself.

For indeed, when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but [we were] afflicted in every way; without combats, within fears.

But he who encourages those that are [brought] low, [even] God, encouraged us by the coming of Titus;

and not by his coming only, but also through the encouragement with which he was encouraged as to you; relating to us your ardent desire, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I the more rejoiced.

Now I rejoice, not that ye have been grieved, but that ye have been grieved to repentance; for ye have been grieved according to God, that in nothing ye might be injured by us.

For grief according to God works repentance to salvation, never to be regretted; but the grief of the world works death.

For, behold, this same thing, your being grieved according to God, how much diligence it wrought in *you*, but [what] excusing [of yourselves], but [what] indignation, but [what] fear, but [what] ardent desire, but [what] zeal, but [what] vengeance: in every way ye have proved yourselves to be pure in the matter.

So then, if also I wrote to you, [it was] not for the sake of him that injured, nor for the sake of him that was injured, but for the sake of our diligent zeal for you being manifested to you before God.

Because if I boasted to him anything about you, I have not been put to shame; but as we have spoken to you all things in truth, so also our boasting to Titus has been [the] truth;

But we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God bestowed in the assemblies of Macedonia;

And not according as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us by God's will.

but even as ye abound in every way, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in love from you to us, that ye may abound in this grace also.

I do not speak as commanding [it], but through the zeal of others, and proving the genuineness of your love.

And I give [my] opinion in this, for this is profitable for you who began before, not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago.

But now also complete the doing of it; so that as [there was] the readiness to be willing, so also to complete out of what ye have.

but [on the principle] of equality; in the present time your abundance for their lack, that their abundance may be for your lack, so that there should be equality.