THE
SECOND LETTER
OF
PAUL, THE DELEGATE,
TO THE
CORINTHIANS.
[WRITTEN FROM MACEDONIA, A. D. 57.]
I.—PAUL (Latin:Paulos; little), a delegate of Yeshua The Anointed, by the will of God, and Timotheos the brother, to the congregation of God which is in Corinth, together with all the holy ones who are in all Achaia: Favor to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Yeshua The Anointed.
3.–Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua The Anointed, the Father of tender mercies, and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those, who are in any affliction, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective by the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer. And our hope for you is firm, knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings; so shall you be also of the comfort.
8 Therefore, brethren, we would not have you ignorant concerning our affliction, which happened to us in Asia; that we were exceedingly pressed above our strength, so that we despaired even of life. But we ourselves had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we might not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver. He in whom we have set our hope. He will yet deliver us. You also join together in prayer for us, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.
12 For this is our glorying,–the testimony of our conscience, that with godly sincerity and clearness, (not with fleshly wisdom, but by the favor of God.) we have conducted ourselves in the world, and even more abundantly among you. For we do not write things to you, that you cannot read and understand; and I hope that you will understand, even until the end; seeing as, you have understood us in part, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Yeshua.
15 And in this confidence I purposed to come to you at first, that you might have a second favor; and from you to pass into Macedonia, and from Macedonia to come again to you, and by you to be sent forward into Yehuda. Having, then, purposed this, did I, waiver? or the things which I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh; so that with me there should be yes, yes, and no, no (at the same time)? But as God is faithful, certainly our word to you, was not yes and no. For the Son of God, Yeshua The Anointed, who was proclaimed to you by us, by me and Sylvanus, and Timotheos, was not yes and no; but is yes in him. For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen (truth) to the glory of God through us. Now, he who establishes us with you in The Anointed, and who has anointed us, is God: who has also sealed us, and given us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.
23 Moreover, I call on God as a witness against my soul, that to spare you, I have not as yet come to Corinth. Not that we lord over your faith, but we are fellow workers of your joy: for by faith you stand.
Chapter 2
II.–Besides, I determined this within myself, not to come again to you with sorrow. For if I should make you sorry, who then is he that could makes me glad, unless it is the one who was made sorry by me? Therefore, I wrote to you this very thing, that coming I might not have sorrow from those in whom I ought to rejoice; being firmly persuaded concerning you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and distress of heart, I wrote to you with many tears; not that you might be made sorry, but that you might know the love, which I have most abundantly towards you.
5 Now, if anyone has caused grief, he has not caused grief tome, but to all of you in part, that I may not have been too heavy on you all. Sufficient for such a one is this punishment, which was inflicted by the majority so, that, on the other hand, you ought more willingly to forgive and comfort him, in fear such a one should be swallowed up by excessive grief. Therefore, I implore you to confirm your love to him. For to this end also I wrote, that I might know the testing of you, whether you be obedient in all things.
10 But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of The Anointed that we may not be taken advantage by The Adversary; for we are not ignorant of his evil purposes.
12.–Moreover, when I came to Troas in order to declare The Good News of The Anointed, and a door was opened to me by the Lord; I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother: therefore, bidding them farewell, I went away into Macedonia. Now, thanks be to God, who at all times causes us to triumph in The Anointed; and who, by us, diffuses the sweet aroma of the knowledge of him in every place: for we are through God, a fragrance of The Anointed, among the saved and among the destroyed. To these, we are the odor of death, ending in death; but to the others, the aroma of life, ending in life: and who is competent for these things? However, we are not like many who corrupt the word of God: but really from sincerity, yes, really from God, in the sight of God, we speak in The Anointed.
Chapter 3
III.–Must we begin again to commend ourselves? or do we need as some, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? You are our letter written on your hearts, known and read of all men. For you are plainly declared The Anointed’s letter served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but on fleshly tables of the heart.
4 Now we have such confidence through The Anointed, towards God; not that we are competent by ourselves to consider anything as from ourselves: but our competency is from God, who has made us competent servants of a new covenant; not of letter, but of spirit: for the letter kills; but the spirit makes alive. For if the ministry of death in letters engraved on stones was with glory, so that the children of Ysrael could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, because of the glory of his face, which was being done away; how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. For that which was glorified, has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it. For if that which is being done way was with glory; much more that which continues is with glory.
12 Having, therefore, such confidence, we use great boldness of speech; and not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, that the children of Ysrael might not steadfastly look to the end of that which is being done way. But their minds were hardened: for until this day, the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament; it not being revealed that it is done away in The Anointed. Moreover, until this day, when Moses is read, the veil lies upon their heart. But when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken from around it. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Lord the Spirit.
Chapter 4
IV.–Therefore, since we have received this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart; but have commanded away the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. If then our Good News is hidden, it is hidden among those perishing ; among whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so that the light of The Good News of the glory of The Anointed, who is the image of God, might not shine into them. Now we do not preach ourselves, but The Anointed Yeshua as Lord; and ourselves as your slaves for Yeshua’ sake. For God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, has shined into our hearts, to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Yeshua The Anointed.
7.–But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power might be of God, and not of us. We are afflicted on every side, but not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not utterly forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. At all times carrying about in the body, the dying of Yeshua, that the life also of Yeshua may be made clear in our body. For we who live are always exposed to death for the sake of Yeshua, that the life also of Yeshua may be made clear in our mortal flesh. So that death works in us, but life in you. Yet having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I have spoken:” we also believe, and therefore speak; knowing that he who raised up the Lord Yeshua, will raise us up also by Yeshua, and will present us with you. For all these things are for your sakes; that the favor, which has abounded to many, may, through the thanksgiving of the greater number, abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart; but though our outward man decays, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our momentary light afflictions work out for us an eternal weight of glory, great beyond expression; while we are aiming not at things seen, but at things unseen: for the things seen are temporal, but the things unseen are eternal.
Chapter 5
V. For we know, that if the earthy tent our house were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, everlasting in the heavens. For in this we groan, yearning to be clothed with our heavenly house. And certainly, being so clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tent do groan, being burdened: not that we desire to be unclothed, but clothed: so that which is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now he who has fashioned us for this purpose is God, who has also given us the Spirit as a down payment.
6 Therefore, always courageous; knowing that while at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by sight.), we are courageous and desire rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Therefore also we strive, whether at home, or absent, to be well pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of The Anointed, that every one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or evil.
11 Knowing, therefore, the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but are made clear to God: and, I trust, are made clear also to your consciences. However, we do not again commend ourselves to you, but only give you occasion of boasting concerning us, that you may have an answer to those who boast in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we out of our wits, it is for God; or whether we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of The Anointed controls us, having concluded this ,–that if one has died for all, certainly all have died; and he has died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who has died and rose again for them.
16.–Therefore from this time forth, we recognize no man by what he is in the flesh: and even if we have known The Anointed by what he is in the flesh, yet now we no longer know him on that account. For if anyone is in The Anointed, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold all things have become new! And all these things of God, who has reconciled (Gk:katallassoo; properly to make different, exchange, as coins for others of equal value) us to himself through Yeshua The Anointed, and has given to us the ministry of the reconciliation;–namely, that God was by The Anointed reconciling the world to himself, not counting to them their sins, and has committed to us the word of the reconciliation.
20 We, therefore, execute the office of ambassadors (Gk:presbeuo, an elder) for The Anointed, as though God is calling you near to us; we beg you, on behalf of The Anointed, be reconciled to God. For he has made him, who knew no sin, sin (or a sin offering) for us; that we might become the righteousness of God in him
Chapter 6
VI. We, then, as fellow-laborers with him, we also implore you not to receive the favor of God for nothing; (for he says, “In an acceptable season I have listened to you; and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is a highly acceptable season; behold, now is a day of salvation:) giving no cause for stumbling in anything, so that the ministry be not blamed. But by everything approving ourselves as servants of God, by much patient enduring, by pressures, by duty , by distresses, by beatings, by imprisonments, by uproars, by labors, by sleeplessness, by fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by steadfastness, by goodness, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love (agape); by the word of truth, by the power of God, through the armor of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through bad fame and good fame; considered as deceivers, yet true; as unknown, yet well known; as dying, yet behold we live; as punished, yet not killed; as sorrowing, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.
11 O Corinthians! our mouth is open freely to you, our heart is enlarged. You are not restrained in us, but you are restrained in your own inward parts (Lit: bowels or affections). Now in return, (I speak as to children,) be also enlarged.
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what partnership has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what participation has light with darkness? What agreement has The Anointed with Belial ( Gr:Belier, a worthless thing)? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement (Gk:sungkatathesis, a putting together or joint deposit (of votes); hence, approval, agreement) has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; just as God has said, “Assuredly I will dwell among them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore, come out from among them, and be separated, says the Lord, and do not touch what is unclean ; and I will receive you; and I will be to you a Father, and you shall be to me sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Chapter 7
VII.–Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all stain (or defilement) of the flesh and spirit; completing holiness in the fear of God. Leave a space to receive us. We have injured no one; we have corrupted no one; we have defrauded no one. I do not speak this to condemn you; for I have said before, that you are in our hearts, to die and live with you.
4.–Great is my freedom of speech to you; great is my boasting concerning you: I am filled with comfort, I exceedingly abound in joy in all our affliction. For when we arrived into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were distressed on every side: outside were fightings–within were fears. Nevertheless, God, who comforts those who are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus:–(not, by his coming only; but more especially by the comfort with which he was comforted by you;)–when he told us of your longing, your wailing, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced all the more.
8 Therefore, though I caused you grief by the letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it; for I perceive that that letter, though suitable to the occasion, caused you sorrow for a while. I now rejoice; not that you were made sorrowful, but that your sorrow produced repentance: for you were made to sorrow in a godly manner, that you might be injured by us for nothing. For godly sorrow produces a repentance leading to salvation without regret; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
11 Behold, now, what this very thing,–you being made sorry with a sorrow according to God has produced in you ,–what earnestness it worked in you; yes, what speech in defense (Gk:apologia, a plea,”apology”): yes, what indignation; yes, what fear; yes, what earnest desire; yes, what zeal; yes, what avenging of wrong! Upon the whole, you have showed yourselves to be pure in this matter. And, though I wrote to you, it was not for his sake who did the wrong, nor for his sake who suffered it; but rather, that our care for you, in the presence of God, might be made clear to you. For this reason, we were comforted in your comfort: yes, we exceedingly rejoiced for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. For if I have boasted anything to him concerning you, I am not ashamed: for as we have spoken all things to you in truth, so also our boasting to Titus is verified. And his tender affection is more abundant toward you, while he remembers the obedience of you all, and how you received him with fear and trembling. I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.
Chapter 8
VIII.–Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the favor of God, which is given by the congregations of Macedonia; that in a great trial of affliction, in the abundance of their joy, and in their extreme poverty, they super abounded in the riches of their liberality. That according to their power, (I bear witness,) yes, and beyond their power, they were willing themselves; with much asking, to request us to accept the favor and the participation of the service, which is for the holy ones. Yes, and this beyond our expectations; for they first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. This moved us to ask Titus, that as he had formerly begun, so he would also finish the same favor among you likewise.
7 Now as you abound in every gift, (in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us,) I wish that you may abound in this gift also. I do not speak this as a command, but on account of the diligence of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. (For you know the favor of our Lord Yeshua The Anointed, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor; that you, through his poverty, might be rich.) And in this I give my opinion, that this is profitable for you, who have formerly begun, not only to do, but also to be resolved since you began a year ago.
11.–At present, therefore, finish the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to purpose; so also let there be to finish, according to your ability. For if there is a willing mind, according to what a person has, he is accepted; and not according to what he does not have . However, I do not mean that others should be eased and you distressed; but by way of equality now, your abundance may be a supply for their want; and that again, their abundance may be a supply for your want; that there may be an equality. As it is written, “He who gathered much, did not have too much; and he who gathered little, had no lack.”
16 Now thanks be to God, who has put the same earnest care concerning you into the heart of Titus. For he received our appeal; but from his great earnestness, was going to you of his own accord. And with him we have sent the brother, whose praise in The Good News is throughout all the congregations.
And not only so, but he was also chosen by the congregations as our fellow-traveler, with this favor, which is ministered by us, to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness: using this precaution, that no one may blame us in the distribution of this abundance; for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often times found diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, for the great confidence which he has in you. If anyone inquires concerning Titus, he is my partner and fellow-laborer for you; or if one inquires about our brethren, they are Delegates of the church, and a glory of The Anointed. Therefore, before the faces of the congregations show the proof of your love (agape), and of our boasting to them concerning you.
Chapter 9
IX.–But, concerning the ministry which is for the holy ones, it is beyond need for me to write to you. For I know your willingness, of which I boasted on your behalf, to the Macedonians, that Achaia (the region of Corinth) was prepared since last year; and your zeal has stirred up a large number of them. Yet I have sent the brethren, that our boasting concerning you, may not be rendered empty in this: but that, as I said, you may be prepared, in fear, perhaps, the Macedonians come with me, and find you unprepared, and we (that we, not you) should be put to shame by this confidence.
5 Therefore, I thought it necessary to ask the brethren, that they would go on before to you, and prepare in advance your formerly announced blessing; that the same might be ready as a gift, and not as a thing affected by covetousness. Now this I say, he who sows sparingly, shall reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully, shall reap bountifully. Every one according to as he has purposed in his heart, ought to give; not with regret, nor by compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every blessing abound to you; that in everything having all sufficiency, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor: his righteousness abides forever.”
10.–Now, may he who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply your sown seed, and increase the fruit of your righteousness, that you may be enriched in everything for all liberality, which produces through us thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this public service, not only fills up completely the needs of the holy ones; but also abounds in many thanksgivings to God. By the proof of this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience and for your profession of The Good News of The Anointed; and for the liberality of your contribution for them and for all; while in their prayers for you, they yearn for you, because of the exceeding favor of God bestowed on you. Now thanks to God for his unspeakable gift.
Chapter 10
X.–Now I implore you by the meekness and gentleness of The Anointed (the same Paul, who, when present, is lowly among you; but when absent, is bold toward you,), I request that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh for the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but exceeding powerful for demolishing strong holds; demolish reasonings, and every high thing raised up against the knowledge of God; and leading captive every thought to the obedience of The Anointed; and we are prepared to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience is completed.
7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is confident in himself that he is The Anointed’s; let him, on the other hand, reason this within himself, that as he is The Anointed’s, so also are we. For even if I should boast somewhat more of our power, which the Lord has given us it is for your edification, and not for your destruction , I will not be put to shame, for I would not have it seem, as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For one says his letters are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence weak, and his speech contemptible. Let such a one conclude this, that as we are in word by letters when absent, such persons also indeed we will be when present.
12 But we dare not rank and compare ourselves with some who commend themselves: but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. Further, we will not boast of things not measured according to the measure of the rule which God has allotted to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.
14 For we did not stretch beyond ourselves as though we have not reached to you; for we have come as far as to you also in The Good News of The Anointed. We do not boast not beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be enlarged even more by you within our sphere, so as to declare The Good News in the regions beyond you; and not to boast in what has been accomplished in another man’s sphere.
17 He then who boasts, let him boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved; but whom the Lord commends.
Chapter 11
XI.–I wish you would bear with me a little in my foolishness: yes, bear with me; for I am jealous of you with a godly jealousy; because I have engaged you to one husband, that I might present you a pure virgin to The Anointed. But I am afraid that, by some means, as the serpent deceived Eve by his pretending; so your minds will be corrupted from the simplicity that is in The Anointed. For if another comes and preaches another Yeshua whom we have not preached; or, if you receive another Spirit which you have not received; or another Good News which you have not embraced; you bear this beautifully with him.
5 For I consider myself to have come nothing short of the super Delegates. And even though I am unskilled in speech, yet not in knowledge: but upon the whole, we have been made this evident to you in all things. Have I committed an offense in humbling myself, that you might be exalted; because I have preached to you The Good News of God freely? I robbed other congregations, taking wages of them to do you service; for being present with you, and in need, we were burdensome to no one; but what I needed, the brethren from Macedonia supplied: and in everything I have kept, and will keep myself from being burdensome to you.
10 As the truth of The anointed is in me then my boasting shall not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. For what reason? because I do not love (agape) you? God knows I do. But what I do, that I will continue to do, that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire opportunity; that in what they boast, they may be found to be even as we. For such are false Forthtellers, deceitful workmen, transforming themselves into Delegates of The Anointed. And no wonder; for The Adversary himself transforms himself into a messenger of light. Therefore, it is no great wonder if his servants also transform themselves as servants of righteousness: whose end shall be according to their works.
16 Again, I say, let no one think me a fool; but if you do, at least bear with me as a fool (or mindless), that I also may boast a little. What I speak in this confident boasting, I do not speak according to the Lord; but as in foolishness. Seeing many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. For being wise, you bear with fools cheerfully. For you bear it if one enslaves you; if one devours you, if one take your goods, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face,–To my shame I say that we are weak for that.—
22 But, in whatever sense anyone else is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Ysraelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they servants of The Anointed? (I speak as a fool,) I am above them: in more abundant labors , in beatings above measure, in more frequent prisons, often in deaths danger; from the Jews, five times I received forty lashes save one: three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked: I have spent a night and a day in the deep. On journeys often in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my countrymen, in dangers from the Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers among false brethren. In labor and toil; in sleepless nights often; in hunger and thirst; often without food; in cold and nakedness. Besides these troubles from the outside, I have daily pressure of the anxious care of all the congregations. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things which relate to my weakness. The God and Father of our Lord Yeshua The Anointed, who is blessed forever, knows that I do not lie. In Damascus, the governor (Gk:ethnarches, the governor) under king Aretas, intending to apprehend me, guarded the city of the Damascus; but I was let down in a basket, through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands.
Chapter 12
XII.–To boast, is not profitable to me; yet I will proceed to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in The Anointed fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know; God knows:) such a one was suddenly caught up to the third heaven. I knew such a man; (whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know:) that he was suddenly caught up into paradise (lit:a park, Eden), and heard unspeakable things, which are not lawful for man to utter. Concerning such a one I will boast; but concerning myself I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Yet if I should boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will speak the truth: but I refrain from this, in fear anyone should think me, above what he sees me to be, or what he hears from me.
7 So that I might not be exalted above measure by the transcendence of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of The Adversary to beat me, for fear I should be exalted above measure. Concerning this, I implored the Lord three times, that it might depart from me. But he said to me, My favor is sufficient for you, besides, my power is completed in weakness:–most gladly, therefore, I will boast rather of my weaknesses, that the power of The Anointed may dwell on me.
Therefore, I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with mistreatment, with persecutions, with difficulties, for The Anointed’s sake; because when I am weak, then I am strong. Have I become a fool ? You have compelled me to it: for I ought to have been commended by you, because I am in no way behind the super Delegates, though I am nothing.
12 Truly the signs of a Delegate were fully worked among you with all patient endurance, by signs and wonders, and powers. For what is the thing in which you were inferior to other congregations, unless that I myself have not been burdensome to you? Forgive me this injury.
14 Behold, now a third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be burdensome to you; because I do not seek what is yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. Yes, I most gladly will spend and be spent for the sake of your souls; even though more abundantly I love (agape) you, the less I am loved (agape). Be it so then, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with deceit! By any of the ones I sent to you, did I take advantage of you? I sought Titus to go to you; and with him I sent a brother: did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps? Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves?
19 In the presence of God we speak in The Anointed, that all these things, beloved, are done for your edification. Yet I am afraid in fear, perhaps, that when I come, I shall not find you as I would wish; and that I shall be not be found by you, such as you would wish: for fear, perhaps, there are among you strifes, jealousy, wraths, contention, evil speaking, slander, arrogance, disorder. I am afraid that when I come again, my God may humble me among you; and I shall grieve over many, who have formerly sinned, and have not reformed from the uncleanness, and fornication, and filthiness, which they have committed.
Chapter 13
XIII.–I am coming this third time to you. By the mouth of two or three witnesses, every matter shall be established. I have told you before, and now I forewarn the second time, (as if present, though still absent,) those who have formerly sinned, and all others, that when I come again, I will not spare anyone; since you seek a proof of The Anointed speaking by me: who is not weak towards you, but is mighty among you. For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives by the power of God; and though we also are weak with him, yet we shall live with him, by the power of God towards you.)
5 Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; test yourselves: Do you not know yourselves, that Yeshua The Anointed is in you, unless you fail the test? But I trust that you shall know, that we are not unapproved. However, I pray to God, that you do no evil;–not that we may appear approved; but that you may do what is good, though we may appear to be as disapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9 Therefore we rejoice when we are weak, and you are strong: and this also we pray for your completion. For this reason, being absent, I write these things; that, when present, I may not act sharply, according to the power which the Lord has given me for edification, and not for destruction.
11 Finally, brethren, farewell: be complete: comfort yourselves: be of one mind : live in peace: and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. all the holy ones greet you. The favor of the Lord Yeshua The Anointed, and the love (agape) of God, and the partnership of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.