 1 From Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. To the assembly+ of God at Corinth with all the saints who are in all of Achaia. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our tribulation so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble with the same comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so also our consolation abounds through Christ. 6 If we are afflicted~, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective in enduring the same sufferings that we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, that also is for your consolation and salvation. 7 Our hope in you is steadfast, knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will be partakers of the consolation. 8 For we would not, family+, have you uninformed+ about our trouble that came to us in Asia. We were pressed out of measure, beyond strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 But we have already had the judgment+ of death within ourselves, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from so great a death, and He still does deliver. And we trust that He will even yet deliver us. 11 You also labor+ together for us by prayer, so that thanks may be given by many on our behalf for the gifts bestowed upon us by so many people. 12 This is the reason for our rejoicing: The testimony of our conscience is that we have had our conversation~ and conduct in the world, and especially+ toward you, in simplicity and godly sincerity and not with fleshly wisdom, but simply by the grace of God. 13 For we write no other things to you than what you read or acknowledge. I trust you will acknowledge this even to the end. 14 And, as you have acknowledged us in part so that we are your means of rejoicing, even so you also will be ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. 15 In this confidence, I was of a mind+ to come to you before so that you might have a second benefit. 16 I intended to pass by you to on the way to Macedonia, and to come again to you out of Macedonia and be brought by you on my way to Judea. 17 When I was thus minded, did I use lightness~ to decide? Or are the things that I purpose done according to the flesh so that there might be an uncertain yes yes and no no? 18 As God is true, our word to you was not an uncertain yes and no. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ who was proclaimed+ among you by us, both by me and by Silvanus and Timothy, was not yes and no, but in Him it was consistently yes. 20 For all the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him Amen, for the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, is God. 22 He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as the guarantee+ in our hearts. 23 But I call upon God to testify+ upon my soul, that it was to spare you that I did not yet come to Corinth. 24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but we are helpers of your joy. For it is by faith that you stand.
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