Study Desk

for, lo, this same thing -- your being made sorry toward God -- how much diligence it doth work in you! but defence, but displeasure, but fear, but longing desire, but zeal, but revenge; in every thing ye did approve yourselves to be pure in the matter.

If, then, I also wrote to you -- not for his cause who did wrong, nor for his cause who did suffer wrong, but for our diligence in your behalf being manifested unto you before God --

because if anything to him in your behalf I have boasted, I was not put to shame; but as all things in truth we did speak to you, so also our boasting before Titus became truth,

and not according as we expected, but themselves they did give first to the Lord, and to us, through the will of God,

but even as in every thing ye do abound, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, that also in this grace ye may abound;

not according to command do I speak, but because of the diligence of others, and of your love proving the genuineness,

and an opinion in this do I give: for this to you [is] expedient, who not only to do, but also to will, did begin before -- a year ago,

but by equality, at the present time your abundance -- for their want, that also their abundance may be for your want, that there may be equality,

and not only so, but who was also appointed by vote by the assemblies, our fellow-traveller, with this favour that is ministered by us, unto the glory of the same Lord, and your willing mind;

providing right things, not only before the Lord, but also before men;

because the ministration of this service not only is supplying the wants of the saints, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God,

for the weapons of our warfare [are] not fleshly, but powerful to God for bringing down of strongholds,

For we do not make bold to rank or to compare ourselves with certain of those commending themselves, but they, among themselves measuring themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not wise,

and we in regard to the unmeasured things will not boast ourselves, but after the measure of the line that the God of measure did appoint to us -- to reach even unto you;

for not he who is commending himself is approved, but he whom the Lord doth commend.

O that ye were bearing with me a little of the folly, but ye also do bear with me:

and even if unlearned in word -- yet not in knowledge, but in every thing we were made manifest in all things to you.

That which I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this the confidence of boasting;

for if I may wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for truth I will say; but I forebear, lest any one in regard to me may think anything above what he doth see me, or doth hear anything of me;

Lo, a third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not be a burden to you, for I seek not yours, but you, for the children ought not for the parents to lay up, but the parents for the children,