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The Abridged Second Letter to the Corinthians

What is the Second Letter to the Corinthians?

Things escalated with Corinth, and Paul backs off a bit and makes ammends (kind of).

Summary - Top

Pt 1

Ch 1-2. Backstory

Ch 3.

Ch 4.

Ch 5.

Ch 6.

Ch 7.

Ch 8.

Pt 2

Ch 9.

Ch 10.

Ch 11.

Ch 12.

Ch 13.

Summary and Background

Stats

Other Names
2 Cor

Author
Authentically by Paul

Setting Range
57CE

Categories
Pauline Church Letters

Academic Composition Range
55CE-56CE

Historical Preservation
Fully Preserved

Public Domain Translations
KJVASVBBEYLTWEB

Abridged Status
Finished- 0% Remaining

Original Verse Count
257

Original Word Count
6,065

Abridged Word Count
3,563

Abridged Length
59%

History and Background of the Second Letter to the Corinthians

What do scholars and theologians know about the Second Letter to the Corinthians?

Sent to Corinth, a major city in Greece.
One of the seven letters that nearly all scholars agree is legitmate.

Part 1 Chapters 1-2

1:1. From: Paul and Timothy
To: The church in Corinth and surrounding people

1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

1:2. Grace and peace from God and Jesus.

1:2. Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:3-4. Praise God- the source of all comfort and compassion. God comforts us so that we can comfort others.

1:3. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

1:4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

1:5. Just like we all know the suffering of the Chosen, we all know the comfort of the Chosen, too.

1:5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

1:6. When we face problems, it's actually for our benefit. When we're comforted, it's also for our benefit.

1:6. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

1:7. We're confident because we know you share in both our sufferings and our comfort.

1:7. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

1:8-9. We want you to know about the tough times we faced in Asia. It was overwhelming, almost beyond what we could bear, making us feel like quitting. But it taught us not to rely on ourselves but on God.

1:8. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

1:9. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

1:10. God rescued us from imminent danger, and we trust God will continue to do so.

1:10. Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

1:11. This way, many will thank God for answering the prayers of numerous people on our behalf.

1:11. Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

1:12. We take pride in our actions, knowing that they have been guided by God.

1:12. For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

1:13-14. We're writing so you can understand, and come to spend the day of judgment on the good side.

1:13. For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;

1:14. As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our's in the day of the Lord Jesus.

1:15-17. I planned to visit you twice, and this decision wasn't made lightly or with worldly motives.

1:15. And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

1:16. And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.

1:17. When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

1:18-19. The message isn't contradictory, Jesus wasn't uncertain- he was always a consistent "Yes".

1:18. But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

1:19. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

1:20. Jesus makes God's promises come true, and we say amen to that.

1:20. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

1:21-22. It's God who keeps us strong. God has chosen and marked us by putting the Spirit in our hearts as a promise for what's to come.

1:21. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

1:22. Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

1:23. So, with that said, I chose not to return to Corinth for your sake.

1:23. Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

1:24. We're not here to control you, but to work together with you for your benefit.

1:24. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

2:1. So, I decided not to make another painful visit.

2:1. But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

2:2. If I upset you, there would be no one left to bring me joy.

2:2. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?

2:3-4. My letters were heartfelt- I didn't write them to hurt but to show my love for you.

2:3. And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

2:4. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

2:5. There is a person among you causing pain- but they're not hurting me- they're hurting you.

2:5. But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.

2:6-8. Either way- the point got across- lets not rub it in.

2:6. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.

2:7. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

2:8. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

2:9-11. I wrote to test your obedience. If you forgive them, I forgive them too, if there was even anything to forgive.

2:11. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2:9. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

2:10. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

2:12-13. I preached in Troas, but Titus wasn't there,
so, I moved on to Macedonia.

2:12. Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

2:13. I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

2:14-16. Thank God- who made us like Jesus flowers- spreading and growing and smelling good to everyone. It's not an easy task.

2:14. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

2:15. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

2:16. To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

2:17. Unlike many teachers, we don't teach for money. We speak sincerely before God, like messengers.

2:17. For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Chapter 3

3:1. Do you really need to see our credentials?

3:1. Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

3:2. You yourselves are our credentials- we started your church!

3:2. Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

3:3. You are proof because the Holy Spirit is written in your hearts- not because of anything that can be written on paper.

3:3. Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

3:4-5. Our confidence and wisdom comes from God.

3:4. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

3:5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

3:6. God made us good leaders and teachers of a new deal- not based on written laws, but guided by the goodness of the Spirit. Laws bring death, but the Spirit brings life.

3:6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

3:7-11. If the laws were so good they made Moses' face shine, won't the Spirit be even brighter?

3:7. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

3:8. How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

3:9. For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

3:10. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

3:11. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

3:12-14. Since we have hope, we're loud and proud- we don't hide our face like Moses did.

3:12. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

3:13. And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

3:14. But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

3:15-16. Even today, that veil covers their hearts when Laws are enforced. But when anyone turns to God, that veil is lifted.

3:15. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

3:16. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

3:17. God brings freedom.

3:17. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

3:18. We reflect God and transformed more and more by the Spirit.

3:18. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Chapter 4

4:1. We don't lose hope because we know it's God who keeps us in our positions.

4:1. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

4:2. We don't use lies to twist God. Rather, we say the truth, and people respect it.

4:2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

4:3. Even if our message is a little hidden, it's only hidden to those who are way too far gone.

4:3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4:4. The forces in the world have made people blind, so they can't see the light of God.

4:4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

4:5. We don't teach to further ourselves, but we teach Jesus, and serve you.

4:5. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

4:6. God made light shine in our hearts to give us knowledge of God.

4:6. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

4:7. But this light is kept in our fragile, mortal bodies, which just highlights its from God.

4:7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

4:8-9. We are compressed, but not crushed- we've fallen, but we're not knocked out.

4:8. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

4:9. Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

4:10. We always face a little bit of danger, so that God can shine through it.

4:10. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

4:11. We are always facing death for Jesus' sake, so that the message and light can be clearer.

4:11. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

4:12. We face death, so you can see life.

4:12. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

4:13-15. This is what we believe- that God raised Jesus from the dead as proof God will also raise us from the dead.

4:13. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

4:14. Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

4:15. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

4:16. So we don't lose hope. Even though everything is going bad in the world, everything is going good inside our hearts.

4:16. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

4:17. The little troubles of today are nothing compared to an eternal heaven.

4:17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

4:18. So look towards things that invisible and eternal- everything you can see will one day be destroyed.

4:18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Chapter 5

5:1. Our bodies are like temporary homes. But if they're gone, we've got an eternal home in heaven, made by God, not us.

5:1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

5:2. We long for that heavenly home, feeling a bit incomplete until we get there.

5:2. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

5:3. When we're in that new home, we won't feel exposed or lacking anything.

5:3. If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

5:4. Right now, we struggle in these bodies. We don't want to lose them, but to swap them for something better, where life beats death.

5:4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

5:5. God designed us for this and gave us The Spirit as a promise for what's coming.

5:5. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

5:6. So, we're sure of this and know that while we're in these bodies, we're not fully with God.

5:6. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

5:7. Our faith drives us, not just what we see.

5:7. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

5:8. We're confident and would rather be with God than in these bodies.

5:8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

5:9. Our goal is to please God, whether we're in these bodies or not.

5:9. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

5:10. Everyone will face judgment for what they've done, good or bad, while in their bodies.

5:10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

5:11. Knowing this, we try to persuade others about God. Our intentions are clear to God and, hopefully, to you too.

5:11. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

5:12. We're not trying to show off. We want you to feel proud of us, not just because of appearances but because of what's in our hearts.

5:12. 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.

5:13. If we seem crazy, it's for God's sake. If we're sensible, it's for your sake.

5:13. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

5:14. The Chosen's love drives us because we're certain Jesus died for everyone, so a piece of everyone died in a way.

5:14. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

5:15. He died so that those alive wouldn't live just for themselves but for God.

5:15. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

5:16. Our perspective has changed. We don't see other people or Jesus the same way the world does.

5:16. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

5:17. So, if anyone follows the Chosen, they are new. The old ways are gone, and new life has begun!

5:17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

5:18. This is all from God, who gave us the job of helping others reconnect.

5:18. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

5:19. God forgave the world of wrongdoings and rescued it through the Chosen. And God gave us the task of spreading this message.

5:19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

5:20. We're representatives of the Chosen, like God is speaking through us. We ask you to make peace and return to God.

5:20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

5:21. God made Jesus take fault for our wrongdoings, so that we would be forgiven and become good people.

5:21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Chapter 6

6:1. Don't waste what God gives.

6:1. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

6:2. This is the time to accept God's help.

6:2. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

6:3. We don't do anything that might make people screw up, so our work isn’t dismissed.

6:3. Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

6:4-5. We proudly stand for God through every hardship, showing endurance, even in tough times, beatings, imprisonments, riots, hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger.

6:4. But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

6:5. In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6:6. We stand for purity, understanding, patience, and kindness, guided by the Holy Spirit and genuine love.

6:6. By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

6:7-8. We speak the truth and rely on God's power. We use goodness as our weapons, even when people see us as imposters.

6:7. By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

6:8. By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

6:9-10. We're infamous, but ignored;
dying, but still alive;
beaten, but not destroyed.
sad, but there's always joy;
poor, but giving to others;
having nothing, but owning everything.

6:9. As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

6:10. As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

6:11. We've been open and honest with you, Corinthians.

6:11. O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

6:12. Our affection is genuine, but it seems like you're holding back from us.

6:12. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

6:13. So, let's have an equal exchange of open hearts, like a family would.

6:13. Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

6:14. Don’t team up with those who don't believe. Goodness and evil don’t go together. Light and darkness can't mix.

6:14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

6:15. What does the Chosen have in common with with Evil? Believers and unbelievers don't really fit together.

6:15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

6:16. God’s temple doesn’t mix with idols- we are that living temple.

6:16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

6:17-18. God says, "I will move in and live with them as their God. Stay away from evil, and I will welcome you. I'll be like a Parent to you, and you'll be my children."

6:17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

6:18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Chapter 7

7:1. Because of these promises, let's clean ourselves and aim for goodness.

7:1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

7:2. Make space in your hearts for us. We haven’t hurt or used anyone.

7:2. Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

7:3. I’m not saying this to blame you. We care about you so much that we’d stick by you through anything.

7:3. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

7:4. I trust you a lot and feel proud of you. Even through tough times, I'm super happy about you.

7:4. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

7:5. When we got to Macedonia, it was nonstop fighting.

7:5. For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

7:6. But God cheered us up through Titus' arrival.

7:6. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

7:7. It warmed my heart when Titus told me how you had taken care of him, and that you missed me.

7:7. And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

7:8-9. Even if my letter hurt you for a bit, I don’t regret writing it. I see it stung, but now I’m happy because it made you change your ways, exactly as God wanted.

7:8. For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

7:9. 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.

7:10. Feeling sorry for doing wrong leads to change and saves you from regrets.
But feeling sorry just because things went wrong only leads to more trouble.

7:10. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

7:11. Look at how your sincere regret changed you: you're eager to make things right, you’re upset about what went wrong, and you're determined to make things fair. In every way, you've proven yourselves innocent in this situation.

7:11. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

7:12. When I wrote to you, it wasn't to blame the person who did wrong or the person who got hurt. It was so that, in front of God, you could see how devoted you are to us.

7:12. Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

7:13. All this has encouraged us.

7:13. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

7:14. And it wasn’t just us—Titus was thrilled to see how happy you made him. I told him great things about you, and you didn’t let me down. Everything we said about you to Titus turned out to be true.

7:14. 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.

7:15. He cares for you even more because he remembers how respectfully you treated him, with fear and respect.

7:15. And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

7:16. I'm so glad I trust you completely.

7:16. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

Chapter 8

8:1. Now, brothers, I want to tell you about the generosity of the Macedonian churches.

8:1. Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

8:2. Even in their tough times and poverty, their joy led them to be generous.

8:2. How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

8:3-4. They gave even more than they could afford, begging us for the chance to help others.

8:3. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

8:4. Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

8:5. They didn’t just give money; they dedicated themselves to God first and then to us, like God says.

8:5. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

8:6. So, I asked Titus to ask you for money.

8:6. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

8:7. You’re doing great in so many things—faith, speech, knowledge, and your love for us. Make sure you excel in being generous too..

8:7. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

8:8. I’m not ordering you; I just want to see if your love is as sincere as others’.

8:8. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

8:9. Remember how generous Jesus was—although he had everything, he became materially poor for us, to make us spiritually rich.

8:9. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

8:10. Last year, you were the first to want to help.

8:10. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

8:11. Now, finish what you started, matching your actions to your eagerness.

8:11. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

8:12. Give whatever you have extra of no matter how many other things you're lacking.

8:12. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

8:13-14. We want everyone to be comfortable—your extra stuff helps them, and their extra helps you. That’s fairness.

8:13. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

8:14. But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

8:15. As it says: "Those who had much didn’t have too much, and those who had little didn’t have too little."

8:15. As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

8:16. Thanks to God, who made Titus care about you.

8:16. But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

8:17-19. Titus was eager and is coming to you willingly, along with his friend. They're both qualified.

8:17. For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

8:18. And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

8:19. And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

8:20-21. We're careful to do what’s right, not just according to God, but also according to society.

8:20. Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

8:21. Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

8:22-24. When they get there, show them your love and why we’re proud of you. The other churches will see it too.

8:22. And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

8:23. Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

8:24. Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Part 2

Chapter 9

9:1. I don’t need to remind you about helping others.

9:1. For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

9:2. I've been telling others how eager you are to help. Last year, you were ready to give, and your enthusiasm inspired many in Macedonia to act.

9:2. For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

9:3. But I'm sending some friends so that what I've said about you won't be just words. Be prepared as I told them you would be.

9:3. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

9:4. If they come and find you unprepared, it'll be embarrassing for all of us.

9:4. Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

9:5. That's why I asked them to visit beforehand, to make sure everything's set for the generous gift you promised. Let it be a true act of generosity, not given reluctantly.

9:5. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

9:6. Remember, what you plant is what grows. If you're generous, you'll receive generously.

9:6. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

9:7. Give what you've decided in your heart, not because you have to, but because you want to. God loves a cheerful giver.

9:7. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

9:8. God can make you have everything you need and more so that you can do good things all the time.

9:8. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

9:9. It's like what's written: "He gives to the poor, and his goodness lasts forever."

9:9. (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

9:10. The one who gives you seeds to sow and bread to eat will give you more seeds and make your good deeds grow.

9:10. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

9:11. You'll have everything you need and more so that you can always be generous. And because of your generosity, people will thank God.

9:11. Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

9:12. Your help doesn't just meet people's needs but also brings thanks to God in many ways.

9:12. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

9:13. Because of your help, people will praise God for your commitment.

9:13. Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

9:14. When others pray for you, they'll care deeply for you because of God's amazing kindness to you.

9:14. And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

9:15. Thanks to God for the incredible gift!

9:15. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Chapter 10

10:1. I'm asking you, with the gentleness of the Chosen, not to make me get tough- I'm not always tough in person, but can be bold in a letter!

10:1. Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

10:2. When I come visit you, I hope I won't need to be as argumentative as I think I'll have to be.

10:2. But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

10:3. Even though we're in the same world, our fights aren't like other people's.

10:3. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

10:4. The weapons we use have divine power- they're not literal weapons. But they still destroy whole buildings.

10:4. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

10:5. We engage with arguments that go against God. Every thought is dedicated to the Chosen.

10:5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

10:6. Once you learn to listen, we'll be ready to correct any issues.

10:6. And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

10:7. You only see things on the surface. If someone thinks they belong to the Chosen, they should know we belong just as much.

10:7. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

10:8. I might brag about the authority Jesus gave us to help you, not tear you down. And I won't be ashamed of that.

10:8. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

10:9. But I don't want to scare you with my letters.

10:9. That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

10:10. Some say, "His letters sound tough, but he's not much in person."

10:10. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

10:11. Let those people know: we'll back up our talk.

10:11. Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.

10:12. We won't compare ourselves with those who praise themselves with their accomplishments- it's not wise to compare yourself that way.

10:12. For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

10:13. We'll stick to what's right and won't go beyond our assigned field of work, but our work does include you.

10:13. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

10:14. We're allowed to talk because we pretty much founded your church.

10:14. For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:

10:15. And we're not trying to take credit for others' work. As your church grows, our hands-on work among you will expand too.

10:15. Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

10:16. We aim to spread the message to areas beyond you. We won't brag about work someone else did.

10:16. To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.

10:17. Remember: if you boast, boast in God.

10:17. But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

10:18. It's not about praising oneself; it's about being praised by God.

10:18. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Chapter 11

11:1. Bear with me being a bit foolish; you're already doing that.

11:1. Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

11:2. I care about you a lot, but I put myself on the line for you. I promised you to the Chosen, wanting you to be pure.

11:2. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

11:3. I'm worried, like how Eve got tricked by the serpent, that you might stray from sincere devotion.

11:3. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

11:4. If someone preaches a different Jesus or Spirit or message, you seem to accept it easily.

11:4. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

11:5. I don't think I'm any less than those 'super-apostles' that have been coming around lately.

11:5. For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

11:6. I might not be a great speaker, but I've got knowledge- I've made that clear to you.

11:6. But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

11:7. Was it wrong to preach God's message to you for free, even if it meant needing support from other churches?

11:7. Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

11:8. I got help from other churches so I could serve you.

11:8. I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

11:9. Even when I was with you, I didn't ask you for anything; the Macedonians helped me out. I won't be a burden to you.

11:9. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

11:10. I swear, no one will stop me from bragging.

11:10. As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

11:11. God knows I love you!

11:11. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.

11:12. Here's how we're special.

11:12. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

11:13. These people are fake apostles pretending to be the Chosen's messengers.

11:13. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

11:14-15. It's no surprise- Satan acts like he's good. So do his followers. But they'll get what they deserve.

11:14. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

11:15. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

11:16. I'm not making this up, but if you think I am, then at least entertain me.

11:16. I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

11:17-18. This isn't the way God speaks, but I'll do it, since it seems it needs to be done to establish credentials.

11:17. That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

11:18. Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

11:19-21. This shouldn't be too hard for you to listen to, since you deal with all sorts of shit, right?

11:19. For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.

11:20. For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

11:21. I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

11:22. Others brag about things? I'll do it too.
Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I.

11:22. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

11:23. They serve the Chosen?
I've worked way harder, been in prison more, beaten more severely, and almost died lots of times.

11:23. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

11:24-25. Five times, I got whipped by the religious leaders, three times beaten with rods, once stoned, and shipwrecked three times. I even spent a day and night at sea.

11:24. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

11:25. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

11:26. I've been on the run, in danger from all sorts- from rivers, robbers, my own people, non-religious; in cities, countryside, and at sea. Even been stabbed in the back.

11:26. In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

11:27. I've worked hard, gone without sleep, felt hunger and thirst, been cold and naked.

11:27. In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

11:28. On top of that, I worry daily for all the churches.

11:28. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

11:29. I have empathy- when someone else is weak or evil, I feel it too.

11:29. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

11:30. If I must brag- let me brag about my weaknesses.

11:30. If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

11:31. God knows I'm telling the truth.

11:31. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

11:32-33. In Damascus, the governor wanted to arrest me, but I escaped by being lowered in a basket from a window in the city wall.

11:32. In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

11:33. And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

Chapter 12

12:1. I'm going to keep bragging, even if it doesn't help. Let me share about visions and revelations from God.

12:1. It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

12:2. Fourteen years ago, I had an extraordinary experience in the third heaven. I don't even know whether I left my body or not.

12:2. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

12:3-4. I was taken to Paradise and heard unimaginable things that can't be shared.

12:3. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

12:4. How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

12:5. Now why would I brag about something like that?

12:5. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

12:6. Even if I wanted to brag about it, I'd just be telling the truth. But I don't, so people don't get false impressions.

12:6. 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.

12:7. To stop me from getting too full of myself based on these amazing visions, I was also given a curse.

12:7. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

12:8-9. I begged God three times to take the curse away, but God said, "You'll get through it. It will help prove my power."
So, I'll brag even more about my weaknesses.

12:8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

12:9. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

12:10. That's why I find the best in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. When I'm weak, I'm strong.

12:10. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

12:11. I've acted a bit hot-headed, but you pushed me to it.
I should have been praised by you because I'm not anything less than those 'super-apostles,' even though I'm nothing.

12:11. I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

12:12. You saw my marks of an apostle- signs, wonders, and miracles.

12:12. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

12:13. How did I make you feel less than other churches, except that I didn't ask for you for money? I hope you can forgive me!

12:13. For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

12:14. I'm ready for my third visit, but I won't burden you. I don't want your things; I want you. Children shouldn't save up for their parents, but the other way around.

12:14. Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

12:15. I'll exhaust myself for you. If I love you more, will you love me less?

12:15. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

12:16. No, I wasn't a burden, but I did trick you!

12:16. But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

12:17. Did I take advantage of you through any of the people I sent?

12:17. Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

12:18. I sent Titus and his friend. Did they exploit you? Didn't we act in the same way?

12:18. I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

12:19. I hope you don't think I've been defending myself. Everything we do is for your strength.

12:19. 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.

12:20. I'm worried that when I come, I won't find you as I want, and you won't find me as you want. I fear there might be fights, jealousy, anger outbursts, divisions, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

12:20. 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:

12:21. I'm scared that when I return, I'll be sad about those who screwed up earlier and still haven't haven't stopped their impurity, sexual crimes, and chaos.

12:21. And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Chapter 13

13:1. This will be my third visit. "Every crime must be backed by two or three witnesses."

13:1. This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

13:2. I warned you when I was there the second time. I'll say it again- when I get there, I won't spare those who keep screwing up.

13:2. 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:

13:3. I'll show the doubters that the Chosen speaks through me.

13:3. Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

13:4. Jesus was crucified, but lives by God's power.
We're weak like Jesus, but live with Jesus by God's power to serve you.

13:4. For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

13:5. Check yourselves. Did you pass the Jesus test?

13:5. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

13:6. I trust you'll find we did.

13:6. But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

13:7. I pray you won't do anything wrong. Not just so we pass the test, but for the sake of you doing right.

13:7. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

13:8. We can't act against the truth, only for it.

13:8. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

13:9. We're happy when we're weak, and you're strong. We pray for your perfection.

13:9. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

13:10. That's why I write this. When I come visit, I hope I won't need to use my authority harshly. I want to build you up, not tear you down.

13:10. 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.

13:11. Finally, goodbye, friends. Aim for perfection, listen to my words, be united, and live in peace. The God of love and peace will be with you.

13:11. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

13:12. Greet each other warmly.

13:12. Greet one another with an holy kiss.

13:13. All the saints say hi.

13:13. All the saints salute you.

13:14. May the forgiveness of Jesus, the love of God, and the friendship of the Spirit be with you all.

13:14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

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