THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST PAUL THE APOSTLE

TO THE CORINTHIANS

The 1st Chapter

Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and brother Timotheus.

Unto the congregation of God, which is at Corinthum with all the saints which are in all Achaia. Grace be with you and peace from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercy, and the God of all comfort, which comforteth us in all our tribulation, in so much that we are able to comfort them which are troubled, in whatsoever tribulation it be, with the same comfort, wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the afflictions of Christ are plenteous in us, even so is our consolation(relief, peace) plenteous by Christ.

Whether we be troubled for your consolation and salvation, which salvation showeth her power in that ye suffer the same afflictions, which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted for your consolation and salvation: yet our hope is steadfast for you, in as much as we know how that as ye have your part in afflictions, so shall ye be partakers of consolation.

Brethren I would not have you ignorant of our trouble, which happened unto us in Asia. For we were grieved out of measure passing strength, so greatly that we despaired even of life. Also we received an answer of death in ourselves, and that because we should not put our trust in ourselves: but in God, which raiseth the dead to life again, and which delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver. On whom we trust, that yet hereafter he will deliver, by the help of your prayer for us, that by the means of many occasions, thanks may be given of many on our behalf, for the grace given unto us.

Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in singleness and godly pureness and not in fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and most of all to you wards. We write no other things unto you, than that ye read and also know. Yea and I trust ye shall find us unto the end, even as ye have found us partly: for we are your rejoicing, even as ye are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And in this confidence was I minded the other time to have come unto you, that ye might have had yet one pleasure more, and to have passed by you into Macedonia, and to have come again out of Macedonia unto you, and to have been led forth to Jewry ward of you. When I thus wise was minded: did I use lightness? Or think I carnally those things which I think? that with me should be yee, yee, and nay, nay. God is faithful: For our preaching unto you, was not yea and nay. For Gods son Jesus Christ which was preached among you by us (that is to say by me and Silvanus and Timotheus) was not yea and nay: but in him it was yee: For all the promises of God, in him are yee: and are in him Amen, unto the laud (glorify, honor, celebrate) of God through us. For it is God which stablisheth us and you in Christ, and hath anointed us, which hath also sealed us, and hath given the earnest of the spirit into our hearts.

The 2nd Chapter

I call God for a record unto my soul, that for to favour you with all I came not any more unto Corinthum. Not that we be lords over your faith: but helpers of your joy. For by faith ye stand. But I determined this in my self, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is it that should make me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? And I wrote this same epistle unto you, lest if I came, I should take heaviness of them, of whom I ought to rejoice. Certainly this confidence have I in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. For in great affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears: not to make you sorry, but that ye might perceive the love which I have, most specially unto you.

If any man hath caused sorrow, the same hath not made me sorry, but partly: lest I should grieve you all. It is sufficient unto the same man that he was rebuked of many. So that now contrary wise ye ought to forgive him and comfort him: lest that same person should be swallowed up with over much heaviness. Wherefore I exhort you that love may have strength over him. For this cause verily did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye should be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also. And verily if I forgive any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it, in the room of Christ, lest Satan should prevent us. For his thoughts are not unknown unto us.

When I was come to Tronda for Christs Gospels sake (and a great door was opened unto me of the Lord) I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but took my leave of them and went away into Macedonia. Thanks be unto God which always giveth us the victory in Christ, and openeth the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God the sweet savour of Christ, both among them that are saved, and also among them which perish. To the one part are we the savour of death unto death. And unto the other part are we the savour of life unto life. And who is meet unto these things? For we are not as many are which chop and change with the word of God: but even out of pureness, and by the power of God, and in the sight of God, so speak we in Christ.

The 3rd Chapter

We begin to praise ourselves again. Need we as some other, of Epistles of recommendation unto you? or letters of recommendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, which is understood and read of all men, in that ye are known, how that ye are the epistle of Christ, ministered by us and written, not with ink: but with the spirit of the living God, not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.

Such trust have we through Christ to God ward, not that we are sufficient of our selves to think anything as it were of our selves but our ableness cometh of God, which hath made us able to minister the new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit. For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

If ministration of death through the letters figured in stones was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not behold the face of Moses for the glory of countenance (which glory nevertheless is done away) why shall not the ministration of the spirit be much more glorious? For if the ministering of condemnation be glorious: much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For no doubt that which was there glorified is not once glorified in respect of this exceeding glory. Then if that which is destroyed was glorious, much more shall that which remaineth, be glorious.

Seeing then that we have such trust, we use great boldness, and do not as Moses, which put a veil over his face that the children of Israel should not see for what purpose that served which is put away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day remaineth the same covering untaken away in the old testament when they read it, which in Christ is put away. But even unto this day when Moses is read, the veil hangeth before their hearts. Nevertheless when they turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. The Lord no doubt is a spirit. And where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all behold the glory of the Lord with his face open, and are changed unto the same similitude, from glory to glory, even of the spirit of the Lord.

The 4th Chapter

Therefore seeing that we have such an office, even as mercy is come on us, we faint not: but have cast from us the cloaks of unhonesty, and walk not in craftiness neither corrupt we the word of God: but walk in open truth, and report our selves to every mans conscience in the sight of God. If our Gospel be yet hid, it is hid among them that are lost, 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 which is the image of God should shine unto them.

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus to be the Lord, and our selves your servants, for Jesus sake. For it is God that commanded the light to shine out of darkness, which hath shined in our hearts, for to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellent power of it might appear to be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet are we not without shift. We are in *poverty: but not utterly without somewhat. We are persecuted: but are not forsaken. We are cast down: nevertheless we perish not. And we always bear in our bodies the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of *Jesu might appear in our bodies. *Jesu: Hebrew name of Jesus

For we which live, are always delivered unto death for Jesus sake, that the life also of Jesu might appear in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, and life in you.

Seeing then that we have the same spirit of faith, according as it is written: I believed, and therefore have I spoken. We also believe, and therefore speak. For we know that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by the means of Jesus, and shall set us with you. For all things do I for your sakes, that the plenteous grace by thanks given of many, may redound (return) to the praise of God.

Wherefore we are not wearied, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our exceeding tribulation which is momentary and light, prepareth an exceeding and an eternal weight of glory unto us, while we look not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen. For things which are seen, are temporal: but things which are not seen, are eternal.

The 5th Chapter

We know surely if our earthy mansion wherein we now dwell were destroyed, that we have a building ordained of God, an habitation not made with hands, but eternal in heaven: And therefore sigh we, desiring to be clothed with our mansion which is from heaven: so yet if that we be found clothed, and not naked. For as long as we are in this tabernacle, we sigh and are grieved, for we would not be unclothed, but would be clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. He that hath ordained us for this thing, is God: which very same hath given unto us the earnest of the spirit.

Therefore we are always of good cheer, and know well that as long as we are at home in the body, we are absent from God. For we walk in faith and see not. Nevertheless we are of good comfort, and had liefer (loved to, ready willing) to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore, whether we be at home or from home we endeavor our selves to please him. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that every man may receive the works of his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad?

Seeing then that we know, how the Lord is to be feared, we fare fair with men. For we are known well enough unto God. I trust also that we are known in your consciences.

We praise not ourselves again unto you, but give you an occasion to rejoice of us, that ye may have somewhat against them, which rejoice in the face, and not in the heart. For if we be too fervent to God are we too fervent. If we keep measure, for your cause keep we measure. For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, if one be dead for all, that then are all dead, 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.

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh. In so much though we have known Christ after the flesh, now hence forth know we him so no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. Nevertheless all things are of God, which hath reconciled us unto himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given unto us the office to preach the atonement. For God was in Christ, and made agreement between the world and him self, and imputed not their sins unto them: and hath committed to us the preaching of the atonement. Now then are we messengers in the room of Christ even as though God did beseech you through us: So pray we you in Christs stead, that ye be at one with God: for he hath made him to be sin for us, which knew no sin, that we by his means should be that righteousness which before God is allowed.

The 6th Chapter

We as helpers therefore exhort you, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. For he saith: I have heard thee in a time accepted: and in the day of salvation, have I succoured thee. Behold, now is that well accepted time: behold now is the day of salvation. Let us give no man occasion of evil, that in our office be found no fault: but in all things let us behave our selves as the ministers of God.

In much patience, in afflictions, in necessity, in anguish, in stripes, in prisonment, in strife, in labour, in watching, in fasting, in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the holy ghost, in love unfeigned, in the words of truth, in the power of God, by the armour of righteousness of the right hand and on the left, in honour and dishonour, in evil report and good report, as deceivers and yet true, as unknown, and yet known: as dying, and behold we yet live: as chastened, and not killed: as sorrowing, and yet always merry: as poor, and yet make many rich: as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you. Our heart is made large: ye are in no strait in us, but are in a strait in your own bowels: I promise you like reward with me, as to my children. Set your selves therefore at large, and bear not a strangers yoke with the unbelievers. For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? What company hath light with darkness? What concord (agreement) hath Christ with Beliall? Either what part hath he that believeth, with an infidel? how agreeth the temple of God with images? And ye are the temple of the living God, as said God. I will dwell among them and walk among them, and will be their God: and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and separate yourselves (saith the Lord) and touch none unclean thing: so will I receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be unto me sons and daughters, saith the Lord almighty.

The 7th Chapter

Seeing that we have such promises dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and grow up to full holiness in the fear of God. Understand us, we have hurt no man: we have corrupted no man: we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have showed you before that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. I am very bold over you, and rejoice greatly in you. I am filled with comfort and am exceeding joyous in all our tribulations. For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outward was fighting, inward was fear. Nevertheless God that comforteth the abject(low, pitiful), comforted us at the coming of Titus.

And not with his coming only: but also with the consolation wherewith he was comforted of you. For he told us your desire, your mourning, your fervent mind to me ward: so that I now rejoice the more. Wherefore though I made you sorry with a letter, I repent not: though I did repent. For I perceive that, that same epistle made you sorry, though it were but for a season. But I now rejoice, not that ye were sorry, but that ye so sorrowed, that ye repented. For ye sorrowed godly: so that in nothing ye were hurt by us. For godly sorrow causeth repentance unto salvation not to be repented of: when worldly sorrow causeth death.

Behold what diligence this godly sorrow that ye took, hath wrought in you: yee it caused you to clear yourselves. It caused indignation, it caused fear, it caused desire, it caused a fervent mind, it caused punishment: For in all things ye have showed yourselves that ye were clear in that matter. Wherefore though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that did hurt, neither for his cause that was hurt: but that our good mind which we have toward you in the sight of God, might appear unto you.

Therefore we are comforted, because ye are comforted: yee and exceedingly the more joyed we, for the joy that Titus had: because his spirit was refreshed of you all. I am therefore, not now ashamed though I boasted my self to him of you. For as all things which I preached unto you are true, even so is our boasting, that I boasted my self to Titus withal, found true. And now is his inward affection more abundant toward you, when he remembereth the obedience of every one of you: how with fear and trembling ye received him. I rejoice that I may be bold over you in all things.

The 8th Chapter

I do you to wit (know) brethren, of the grace of God which is given in the congregations of Macedonia, how that the abundance of their rejoicing is, that they are tried with much tribulation. And thereto though they were exceeding poor, yet have they given exceeding richly, and that in singleness.

For to their powers (I bear record) yee and beyond their power, they were willing of their own accord, and prayed us with great instance, that we would receive their benefit, and suffer them to be partakers with others in ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we looked for: but gave their own selves first to the Lord, and after unto us by the will of God: so that we could not but desire. Titus to accomplish the same benevolence among you also, even as he had begun.

Now therefore, as ye are rich in all parts, in faith, in word, in knowledge, in all ferventness, and in love, which ye have to us: even so see that ye be plenteous in this benevolence. This say I not as commanding: but because others are so fervent, therefore prove I your love, whether it be perfect or no. Ye know the liberality of our Lord Jesus Christ, which though he were rich, yet for your sakes became poor: that ye through his poverty, might be made rich.

And I give counsel here to. For this is expedient for you, which began, not to do only: but also to will a year ago. Now therefore perform the deed: that as there was in you a readiness to will, even so ye may perform the deed, of that which ye have. 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.

It is not my mind that others be set at ease, and ye brought into cumbrance: but that there be *egalness (eagleness, agileness?) now at this time, that your abundance succour their lack: that their abundance may supply your lack: that there may be equality, agreeing to that which is written: He that gathered much had never the more abundance, and he that gathered little had never the less. Thanks be unto God, which put in the heart of Titus the same good mind toward you. For he accepted the request yee rather he was so well willing that of his own accord came unto you.*egalness agileness: meaning to quicken, to have lightness.

We have sent with him that brother, whose laud is in the gospel throughout all the congregations: and not so only, but is also chosen of the congregations to be a fellow with us in our journey concerning this benevolence that is ministered by us unto the praise of the Lord and to stir up your prompt mind.

For this we eschew (avoid), that any man should rebuke us in this plenteous distribution that is ministered by us, and therefore make provision for honest things, not in the sight of God only, but also in the sight of men.

We have sent with them a brother of ours whom we have often times proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent. The great confidence which I have in you, hath caused me this to do: partly for Titus sake which is my fellow and helper as concerning you, partly because of others which are our brethren, and the messengers of the congregations, and the glory of Christ. Wherefore show unto them the proof of your love, and of the rejoicing that we have of you, that the congregations may see it.

The 9th Chapter

Of the ministering to the saints, it is but superfluous (not really needed) for me to write unto you: for I know your readiness of mind, whereof I boast my self unto them of Macedonia, and say that Achaia was prepared a year ago, and your ferventness hath provoked many. Nevertheless yet have I sent these brethren, lest our rejoicing over you should be in vain in this behalf, and that ye (as I have said) prepare yourselves, lest peradventure if they of Macedonia come with me and find you unprepared, the boast that I made in this matter, should be a shame to us: I say not unto you.

Wherefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, to come before hand unto you for to prepare your good blessing promised afore, that it might be ready: so that it be a blessing, and not a defrauding. This yet remember, how that he which soweth little, shall reap little: and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously. And let every man do according as he hath purposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity. For God loveth a cheerful giver.

God is able to make you rich in all grace, that ye in all things having sufficient unto the utmost, may be rich unto all manner good works, as it is written: He that dispersed abroad and hath given to the poor, his righteousness remaineth for ever. He that findeth the sower seed, shall minister bread for food, and shall multiply your seed and increase the fruits of your righteousness that on all parts, ye may be made rich in all singleness, which causeth through us, thanks giving unto God.

For the office of this ministration, not only supplieth the need of the saints: but also is abundant herein, that for this laudable ministering, thanks might be given to God of many, which praise God for the obedience of your professing the Gospel of Christ, and for your singleness in distributing to them and to all men: and in their prayers to God for you, long after you, for the abundant grace of God given unto you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

The 10th Chapter

I Paul my self beseech you by the meekness and softness of Christ which when I am present among you, am of no reputation, but am bold toward you being absent. I beseech you that I need not to be bold when I am present (with that same confidence, wherewith I am supposed to be bold) against some which repute us as though we walked carnally. Nevertheless though we walk compassed with the flesh, yet we war not fleshly. For the weapons of our war are not carnal things, but things mighty in God, to cast down strongholds, wherewith we overthrow imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bring into captivity all understanding to the obedience of Christ, and are ready to take vengeance on all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Look ye on things after the outer appearance?

If any man trust in him self that he is Christs, let the same also consider of him self, that as he is Christs, even so are we Christs. And though I should boast my self somewhat more of our authority which the Lord hath given us to edify and not to destroy you, it should not be to my shame. This say I, lest I should seem as though I went about to make you afraid with letters. For the epistles (saith he) are sore and strong: but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech rude. Let him that is such think on this wise, that as we are in words by letters when we are absent, such are we in deeds when we are present.

For we cannot find in our hearts to make ourselves of the number of them, or to compare ourselves to them, which laud (praise, exalt) them selves nevertheless while they measure them selves with them selves, and compare them selves with them selves, they understand nought. But we will not rejoice above measure: but according to the quantity of the measure which God hath distributed unto us, a measure that reacheth even unto you. For we stretch not out ourselves beyond measure as though we had not reached unto you. For even unto you have we come with the gospel of Christ, and we boast not our selves out of measure in other mens labors. Yee and we hope, when your faith is increased among you, to be magnified according to our measure, more largely, and to preach the gospel in those regions which are beyond you: and not to rejoice of that which is by another mans measure prepared already. Let him that rejoiceth, rejoice in the Lord. For he that praiseth him self, is not allowed: but he whom the Lord praiseth.

The 11th Chapter

Would to God, ye could suffer (allow) me a little in my foolishness: yee, and I pray you forbear me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. For I coupled you to one man, to make you a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear lest as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, even so your wits should be corrupt from the singleness that is in Christ. For if he that cometh, preach another Jesus than him whom we preached: or if ye receive another spirit than that which ye have received: either another gospel than that ye have received, ye might right well have been content. I suppose that I was not behind the chief Apostles. Though I be rude in speaking, yet I am not so in knowledge. How be it among you we are known to the utmost what we are in all things. Did I therein sin, because I submitted myself, that ye might be exalted, and because I preached to you the gospel of God free? I robbed other congregations, and took wages of them, to do you service with all. And when I was present with you, and had need, I was grievous to no man for that which was lacking unto me, the brethren which came from Macedonia, supplied: and in all things I kept my self that I should not be grievous to you: and so will I keep myself.

If the truth of Christ be in me, this rejoicing shall not be taken from me in the regions of Achaia. Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knoweth. Nevertheless what I do, that will I do, to cut away occasion from them which desire occasion, that they might be found like unto us in that wherein they rejoice. For these false apostles are deceitful workers, and fashion them selves like unto the Apostles of Christ. And no marvel, for Satan himself is changed into the fashion of an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing, though his ministers fashion them selves as though they were the ministers of righteousness: whose end shall be according to their deeds.

I say again, lest any man think that I am foolish: or else even now take me as a fool, that I may boast my self a little. That I speak, I speak it not after the ways of the Lord: but as it were foolishly, while we are now come to boasting. Seeing that many rejoice after the flesh, I will rejoice also. For ye suffer (allow, even suffer) fools gladly, because that ye your selves are wise. For ye suffer (allow, even suffer) even if a man bring you into bondage: if a man devour: if a man take: if a man exalt him self: if a man smite you on the face. I speak as concerning rebuke, as though we had been weak.

How be it whereinsoever any man dare be bold (I speak foolishly) I dare be bold also. They are Hebrews, so am I: They are Israelites, even so am I. They are the seed of Abraham, even so am I. They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as a fool) I am more: In labors more abundant: In stripes above measure: In prison more plenteously: In death often. Of the Jewes five times received I every time forty stripes save one. Thrice(three times) was I beaten with rods. I was once stoned. I suffered thrice shipwreck. Night and day have I been in the deep of the sea. In journeying often: In perils of waters: In perils of robbers: In jeopardies of mine own nation In jeopardies among the heathen. I have been in perils in cities, in perils in wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren, in labour and travail, in watching often, in hunger, in thirst, in fastings often, in cold and in nakedness. And beside the things which outwardly happen unto me, I am cumbered daily, and do care for all congregations. Who is sick, and I am not sick? Who is hurt in the faith and my heart burneth not? If I must needs rejoice, I will rejoice of mine infirmities.

The 12th Chapter

The God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. In the city of Damascon, the governor of the people under king Aretas, laid watch in the city of the Damascens, and would have caught me, and at a window was I let down in a basket through the wall, and so escaped his hands.

It is not expedient for me no doubt to rejoice. Nevertheless I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether he were in the body I cannot tell, or whether he were out of the body I cannot tell,(God knoweth) which was taken up into the third heaven. And I know the same man (whether in the body, or out of the body. I cannot tell God knoweth) how that he was taken up into Paradise, and heard words not to be spoken, which no man can utter. Of this man will I rejoice, of my self will I not rejoice, except it be of mine infirmities. And yet though I would rejoice, I should not be a fool: for I would say the truth. Nevertheless I spare, lest any man should think of me above that he seeth me to be, or heareth of me.

And lest I should be exalted out of measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given unto me unquietness of the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me: because I should not be exalted out of measure. For this thing besought I the Lord thrice(three times), that it might depart from me. And he said unto me: my grace is sufficient for thee. For my strength is made perfect through weakness. Very gladly therefore will I rejoice of my weakness, that the strength of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore have I delectation(enjoyment, delight) in infirmities, in rebukes, in need, in persecutions, in anguish, for Christs sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

I am made a fool in boasting myself. Ye have compelled me: I ought to have been commended of you. For in nothing was I inferior unto the chief Apostles, though I be nothing, yet the tokens of an Apostle were wrought among you with all patience: with signs and wonders, and mighty deeds. For what is it wherein ye were inferiors unto other congregations except it be therein that I was not grievous unto you. Forgive me this wrong done unto you. Behold now the third time I am ready to come unto you: and yet will I not be grievous unto you. For I seek not yours, but you. Also the children ought not to lay up for the fathers and mothers: but the fathers and mothers for the children.

I will very gladly bestow, and will be bestowed for your souls: though the more I love you, the less I am loved again. But be it that I grieved you not: nevertheless I was crafty and took you with guile. Did I pill (extort, place in bondage) you by any of them which I sent unto you: I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus defraud you of any thing? walked we not in one spirit? walked we not in like steps? Again think ye that we excuse ourselves? We speak in Christ in the sight of God.

But we do all things dearly beloved for your edifying. For I fear lest it come to pass, that when I come, I shall not find you such as I would: and I shall be found unto you such as I would not: I fear lest there be found among you debate, envying, wrath, strife, backbitings, whisperings, swellings and discord. I fear lest when I come again, God bring me low among you, and I be constrained to bewail many of them which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication and wantonness which they have committed.

The 13th Chapter

Now come I the third time unto you in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall everything stand. I told you before, and tell you before: and as I said when I was present with you the second time, so write I now being absent to them which in time past have sinned, and to all other: that if I come again, I will not spare, seeing that ye seek experience of Christ which speaketh in me, which among you is not weak, but is mighty in you. And verily though it came of weakness that he was crucified, yet liveth he through the power of God. And we no doubt are weak in him: but we shall live with him, by the might of God among you.

Prove yourselves whether ye are in the faith or not. Examine your own selves: know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be castaways? I trust that ye shall know that we are not castaways. I desire before God that ye do none evil, not that we should seem commendable: but that ye should do that which is honest: and let us be counted as lewd persons. We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. We are glad when we are weak, and ye strong. This also we wish for, even that ye were perfect. Therefore write I these things being absent, lest when I am present, I should use sharpness according to the power which the Lord hath given me, to edify, and not to destroy. Finally brethren fare ye well, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace, shall be with you. Greet one another in an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the holy ghost be with you all. Amen

The end of the second epistle to the Corinthians

Sent from Philippi a city in Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.