2 Corinthians
1:1Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by God's will, and the brother Timotheus, to the assembly of God which is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia. 1:2Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and [the] Lord Jesus Christ. 1:3Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassions, and God of all encouragement; 1:4who encourages us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to encourage those who are in any tribulation whatever, through the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged of God. 1:5Because, even as the sufferings of the Christ abound towards us, so through the Christ does our encouragement also abound. 1:6But whether we are in tribulation, [it is] for your encouragement and salvation, wrought in the endurance of the same sufferings which *we* also suffer, 1:7(and our hope for you [is] sure;) or whether we are encouraged, [it is] for your encouragement and salvation: knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also of the encouragement. 1:8For we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, as to our tribulation which happened [to us] in Asia, that we were excessively pressed beyond [our] power, so as to despair even of living. 1:9But we ourselves had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not have our trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 1:10who has delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver; in whom we confide that he will also yet deliver; 1:11ye also labouring together by supplication for us that the gift towards us, through means of many persons, may be the subject of the thanksgiving of many for us. 1:12For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity before God, (not in fleshly wisdom but in God's grace,) we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly towards you. 1:13For we do not write other things to you but what ye well know and recognise; and I hope that ye will recognise to the end, 1:14even as also ye have recognised us in part, that we are your boast, even as *ye* [are] ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1:15And with this confidence I purposed to come to you previously, that ye might have a second favour; 1:16and to pass through to Macedonia by you, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be set forward by you to Judaea. 1:17Having therefore this purpose, did I then use lightness? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to flesh, that there should be with me yea yea, and nay nay? 1:18Now God [is] faithful, that our word to you is not yea and nay. 1:19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, he who has been preached by us among you (by me and Silvanus and Timotheus), did not become yea and nay, but yea *is* in him. 1:20For whatever promises of God [there are], in him is the yea, and in him the amen, for glory to God by us. 1:21Now he that establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, [is] God, 1:22who also has sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 1:23But I call God to witness upon my soul that to spare you I have not yet come to Corinth. 1:24Not that we rule over your faith, but are fellow-workmen of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
2:1But I have judged this with myself, not to come back to you in grief. 2:2For if *I* grieve you, who also [is] it that gladdens me, if not he that is grieved through me? 2:3And I have written this very [letter] [to you], that coming I may not have grief from those from whom I ought to have joy; trusting in you all that my joy is [that] of you all. 2:4For out of much tribulation and distress of heart I wrote to you, with many tears; not that ye may be grieved, but that ye may know the love which I have very abundantly towards you. 2:5But if any one has grieved, he has grieved, not me, but in part (that I may not overcharge [you]) all of you. 2:6Sufficient to such a one [is] this rebuke which [has been inflicted] by the many; 2:7so that on the contrary ye should rather shew grace and encourage, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with excessive grief. 2:8Wherefore I exhort you to assure him of [your] love. 2:9For to this end also I have written, that I might know, by putting you to the test, if as to everything ye are obedient. 2:10But to whom ye forgive anything, *I* also; for I also, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, [it is] for your sakes in [the] person of Christ; 2:11that we might not have Satan get an advantage against us, for we are not ignorant of *his* thoughts. 2:12Now when I came to Troas for the [publication of the] glad tidings of the Christ, a door also being opened to me in [the] Lord, 2:13I had no rest in my spirit at not finding Titus my brother; but bidding them adieu, I came away to Macedonia. 2:14But thanks [be] to God, who always leads us in triumph in the Christ, and makes manifest the odour of his knowledge through us in every place. 2:15For we are a sweet odour of Christ to God, in the saved and in those that perish: 2:16to the one an odour from death unto death, but to the others an odour from life unto life; and who [is] sufficient for these things? 2:17For we do not, as the many, make a trade of the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, before God, we speak in Christ.
3:1Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or do we need, as some, commendatory letters to you, or [commendatory] from you? 3:2*Ye* are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read of all men, 3:3being manifested to be Christ's epistle ministered by us, written, not with ink, but [the] Spirit of [the] living God; not on stone tables, but on fleshy tables of [the] heart. 3:4And such confidence have we through the Christ towards God: 3:5not that we are competent of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our competency [is] of God; 3:6who has also made us competent, [as] ministers of [the] new covenant; not of letter, but of spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit quickens. 3:7(But if the ministry of death, in letters, graven in stones, began with glory, so that the children of Israel could not fix their eyes on the face of Moses, on account of the glory of his face, [a glory] which is annulled; 3:8how shall not rather the ministry of the Spirit subsist in glory? 3:9For if the ministry of condemnation [be] glory, much rather the ministry of righteousness abounds in glory. 3:10For also that [which was] glorified is not glorified in this respect, on account of the surpassing glory. 3:11For if that annulled [was introduced] with glory, much rather that which abides [subsists] in glory. 3:12Having therefore such hope, we use much boldness: 3:13and not according as Moses put a veil on his own face, so that the children of Israel should not fix their eyes on the end of that annulled. 3:14But their thoughts have been darkened, for unto this day the same veil remains in reading the old covenant, unremoved, which in Christ is annulled. 3:15But unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil lies upon their heart. 3:16But when it shall turn to [the] Lord, the veil is taken away.) 3:17Now the Lord is the Spirit, but where the Spirit of [the] Lord [is, there is] liberty. 3:18But *we* all, looking on the glory of the Lord, with unveiled face, are transformed according to the same image from glory to glory, even as by [the] Lord [the] Spirit.
4:1Therefore, having this ministry, as we have had mercy shewn us, we faint not. 4:2But we have rejected the hidden things of shame, not walking in deceit, nor falsifying the word of God, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every conscience of men before God. 4:3But if also our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in those that are lost; 4:4in whom the god of this world has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving, so that the radiancy of the glad tidings of the glory of the Christ, who is [the] image of God, should not shine forth [for them]. 4:5For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus Lord, and ourselves your bondmen for Jesus' sake. 4:6Because [it is] the God who spoke that out of darkness light should shine who has shone in our hearts for the shining forth of the knowledge of the glory of God in [the] face of [Jesus] Christ. 4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassingness of the power may be of God, and not from us: 4:8every way afflicted, but not straitened; seeing no apparent issue, but our way not entirely shut up; 4:9persecuted, but not abandoned; cast down, but not destroyed; 4:10always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body; 4:11for we who live are always delivered unto death on account of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh; 4:12so that death works in us, but life in you. 4:13And having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I have believed, therefore have I spoken; *we* also believe, therefore also we speak; 4:14knowing that he who has raised the Lord Jesus shall raise us also with Jesus, and shall present [us] with you. 4:15For all things [are] for your sakes, that the grace abounding through the many may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 4:16Wherefore we faint not; but if indeed our outward man is consumed, yet the inward is renewed day by day. 4:17For our momentary [and] light affliction works for us in surpassing measure an eternal weight of glory; 4:18while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen [are] for a time, but those that are not seen eternal.
5:1For we know that if our earthly tabernacle house be destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 5:2For indeed in this we groan, ardently desiring to have put on our house which [is] from heaven; 5:3if indeed being also clothed we shall not be found naked. 5:4For indeed we who are in the tabernacle groan, being burdened; while yet we do not wish to be unclothed, but clothed, that [what is] mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5:5Now he that has wrought us for this very thing [is] God, who also has given to us the earnest of the Spirit. 5:6Therefore [we are] always confident, and know that while present in the body we are absent from the Lord, 5:7(for we walk by faith, not by sight;) 5:8we are confident, I say, and pleased rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. 5:9Wherefore also we are zealous, whether present or absent, to be agreeable to him. 5:10For we must all be manifested before the judgment-seat of the Christ, that each may receive the things [done] in the body, according to those he has done, whether [it be] good or evil. 5:11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we persuade men, but have been manifested to God, and I hope also that we have been manifested in your consciences. 5:12[For] we do not again commend ourselves to you, but [we are] giving to you occasion of boast in our behalf, that ye may have [such] with those boasting in countenance, and not in heart. 5:13For whether we are beside ourselves, [it is] to God; or are sober, [it is] for you. 5:14For the love of the Christ constrains us, having judged this: that one died for all, then all have died; 5:15and he died for all, that they who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who died for them and has been raised. 5:16So that *we* henceforth know no one according to flesh; but if even we have known Christ according to flesh, yet now we know [him thus] no longer. 5:17So if any one [be] in Christ, [there is] a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold all things have become new: 5:18and all things [are] of the God who has reconciled us to himself by [Jesus] Christ, and given to us the ministry of that reconciliation: 5:19how that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their offences; and putting in us the word of that reconciliation. 5:20We are ambassadors therefore for Christ, God as [it were] beseeching by us, we entreat for Christ, Be reconciled to God. 5:21Him who knew not sin he has made sin for us, that *we* might become God's righteousness in him.
6:1But [as] fellow-workmen, we also beseech that ye receive not the grace of God in vain: 6:2(for he says, I have listened to thee in an accepted time, and I have helped thee in a day of salvation: behold, now [is the] well-accepted time; behold, now [the] day of salvation:) 6:3giving no manner of offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed; 6:4but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits, 6:5in stripes, in prisons, in riots, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, 6:6in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in [the] Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, 6:7in [the] word of truth, in [the] power of God; through the arms of righteousness on the right hand and left, 6:8through glory and dishonour, through evil report and good report: as deceivers, and true; 6:9as unknown, and well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as disciplined, and not put to death; 6:10as grieved, but always rejoicing; as poor, but enriching many; as having nothing, and possessing all things. 6:11Our mouth is opened to you, Corinthians, our heart is expanded. 6:12Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your affections; 6:13but for an answering recompense, (I speak as to children,) let *your* heart also expand itself. 6:14Be not diversely yoked with unbelievers; for what participation [is there] between righteousness and lawlessness? or what fellowship of light with darkness? 6:15and what consent of Christ with Beliar, or what part for a believer along with an unbeliever? 6:16and what agreement of God's temple with idols? for *ye* are [the] living God's temple; according as God has said, I will dwell among them, and walk among [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be to me a people. 6:17Wherefore come out from the midst of them, and be separated, saith [the] Lord, and touch not [what is] unclean, and *I* will receive you; 6:18and I will be to you for a Father, and ye shall be to me for sons and daughters, saith [the] Lord Almighty.
7:1Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God's fear. 7:2Receive us: we have injured no one, we have ruined no one, we have made gain of no one. 7:3I do not speak for condemnation, for I have already said that ye are in our hearts, to die together, and live together. 7:4Great [is] my boldness towards you, great my exulting in respect of you; I am filled with encouragement; I overabound in joy under all our affliction. 7:5For indeed, when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but [we were] afflicted in every way; without combats, within fears. 7:6But he who encourages those that are [brought] low, [even] God, encouraged us by the coming of Titus; 7:7and not by his coming only, but also through the encouragement with which he was encouraged as to you; relating to us your ardent desire, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I the more rejoiced. 7:8For if also I grieved you in the letter, I do not regret [it], if even I have regretted it; for I see that that letter, if even [it were] only for a time, grieved you. 7:9Now I rejoice, not that ye have been grieved, but that ye have been grieved to repentance; for ye have been grieved according to God, that in nothing ye might be injured by us. 7:10For grief according to God works repentance to salvation, never to be regretted; but the grief of the world works death. 7:11For, behold, this same thing, your being grieved according to God, how much diligence it wrought in *you*, but [what] excusing [of yourselves], but [what] indignation, but [what] fear, but [what] ardent desire, but [what] zeal, but [what] vengeance: in every way ye have proved yourselves to be pure in the matter. 7:12So then, if also I wrote to you, [it was] not for the sake of him that injured, nor for the sake of him that was injured, but for the sake of our diligent zeal for you being manifested to you before God. 7:13For this reason we have been encouraged. And we the rather rejoiced in our encouragement more abundantly by reason of the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 7:14Because if I boasted to him anything about you, I have not been put to shame; but as we have spoken to you all things in truth, so also our boasting to Titus has been [the] truth; 7:15and his affections are more abundantly towards you, calling to mind the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. 7:16I rejoice that in everything I am confident as to you.
8:1But we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God bestowed in the assemblies of Macedonia; 8:2that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty has abounded to the riches of their [free-hearted] liberality. 8:3For according to [their] power, I bear witness, and beyond [their] power, [they were] willing of their own accord, 8:4begging of us with much entreaty [to give effect to] the grace and fellowship of the service which [was to be rendered] to the saints. 8:5And not according as we hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us by God's will. 8:6So that we begged Titus that, according as he had before begun, so he would also complete as to you this grace also; 8:7but even as ye abound in every way, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in love from you to us, that ye may abound in this grace also. 8:8I do not speak as commanding [it], but through the zeal of others, and proving the genuineness of your love. 8:9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he, being rich, became poor, in order that *ye* by *his* poverty might be enriched. 8:10And I give [my] opinion in this, for this is profitable for you who began before, not only to do, but also to be willing, a year ago. 8:11But now also complete the doing of it; so that as [there was] the readiness to be willing, so also to complete out of what ye have. 8:12For if the readiness be there, [a man is] accepted according to what he may have, not according to what he has not. 8:13For [it is] not in order that there may be ease for others, and for you distress, 8:14but [on the principle] of equality; in the present time your abundance for their lack, that their abundance may be for your lack, so that there should be equality. 8:15According as it is written, He who [gathered] much had no excess, and he who [gathered] little was nothing short. 8:16But thanks [be] to God, who gives the same diligent zeal for you in the heart of Titus. 8:17For he received indeed the entreaty, but, being full of zeal, he went of his own accord to you; 8:18but we have sent with him the brother whose praise [is] in the glad tidings through all the assemblies; 8:19and not only [so], but [is] also chosen by the assemblies as our fellow-traveller with this grace, ministered by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and [a witness of] our readiness; 8:20avoiding this, that any one should blame us in this abundance [which is] administered by us; 8:21for we provide for things honest, not only before [the] Lord, but also before men. 8:22And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved to be of diligent zeal in many things, and now more diligently zealous through the great confidence [he has] as to you. 8:23Whether as regards Titus, [he is] my companion and fellow-labourer in your behalf; or our brethren, [they are] deputed messengers of assemblies, Christ's glory. 8:24Shew therefore to them, before the assemblies, the proof of your love, and of our boasting about you.
9:1For concerning the ministration which [is] for the saints, it is superfluous my writing to you. 9:2For I know your readiness, which I boast of as respects you to Macedonians, that Achaia is prepared since a year ago, and the zeal [reported] of you has stimulated the mass [of the brethren]. 9:3But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made void in this respect, in order that, as I have said, ye may be prepared; 9:4lest haply, if Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, *we*, that we say not *ye*, may be put to shame in this confidence. 9:5I thought it necessary therefore to beg the brethren that they would come to you, and complete beforehand your fore-announced blessing, that this may be ready thus as blessing, and not as got out of you. 9:6But this [is true], he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows in [the spirit of] blessing shall reap also in blessing: 9:7each according as he is purposed in his heart; not grievingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 9:8But God is able to make every gracious gift abound towards you, that, having in every way always all-sufficiency, ye may abound to every good work: 9:9according as it is written, He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor, his righteousness remains for ever. 9:10Now he that supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating shall supply and make abundant your sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: 9:11enriched in every way unto all free-hearted liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God. 9:12Because the ministration of this service is not only filling up the measure of what is lacking to the saints, but also abounding by many thanksgivings to God; 9:13they glorifying God through the proof of this ministration, by reason of your subjection, by profession, to the glad tidings of the Christ, and your free-hearted liberality in communicating towards them and towards all; 9:14and in their supplication for you, full of ardent desire for you, on account of the exceeding grace of God [which is] upon you. 9:15Thanks [be] to God for his unspeakable free gift.
10:1But I myself, Paul, entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of the Christ, who, as to appearance, [when present] [am] mean among you, but absent am bold towards you; 10:2but I beseech that present I may not be bold with the confidence with which I think to be daring towards some who think of us as walking according to flesh. 10:3For walking in flesh, we do not war according to flesh. 10:4For the arms of our warfare [are] not fleshly, but powerful according to God to [the] overthrow of strongholds; 10:5overthrowing reasonings and every high thing that lifts itself up against the knowledge of God, and leading captive every thought into the obedience of the Christ; 10:6and having in readiness to avenge all disobedience when your obedience shall have been fulfilled. 10:7Do ye look at what concerns appearance? If any one has confidence in himself that he is of Christ, let him think this again in himself, that even as he [is] of Christ, so also [are] we. 10:8For and if I should boast even somewhat more abundantly of our authority, which the Lord has given [to us] for building up and not for your overthrowing, I shall not be put to shame; 10:9that I may not seem as if I was frightening you by letters: 10:10because his letters, he says, [are] weighty and strong, but his presence in the body weak, and his speech naught. 10:11Let such a one think this, that such as we are in word by letters [when] absent, such also present in deed. 10:12For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves; but these, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not intelligent. 10:13Now *we* will not boast out of measure, but according to the measure of the rule which the God of measure has apportioned to us, to reach to you also. 10:14For we do not, as not reaching to you, overstretch ourselves, (for we have come to you also in the glad tidings of the Christ;) 10:15not boasting out of measure in other people's labours, but having hope, your faith increasing, to be enlarged amongst you, according to our rule, yet more abundantly 10:16to announce the glad tidings to that [which is] beyond you, not to be boasting in another's rule of things made ready to hand. 10:17But he that boasts, let him boast in the Lord. 10:18For not *he* that commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
11:1Would that ye would bear with me [in] a little folly; but indeed bear with me. 11:2For I am jealous as to you with a jealousy [which is] of God; for I have espoused you unto one man, to present [you] a chaste virgin to Christ. 11:3But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craft, [so] your thoughts should be corrupted from simplicity as to the Christ. 11:4For if indeed he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or ye get a different Spirit, which ye have not got, or a different glad tidings, which ye have not received, ye might well bear with [it]. 11:5For I reckon that in nothing I am behind those who are in surpassing degree apostles. 11:6But if [I am] a simple person in speech, yet not in knowledge, but in everything making [the truth] manifest in all things to you. 11:7Have I committed sin, abasing myself in order that *ye* might be exalted, because I gratuitously announced to you the glad tidings of God? 11:8I spoiled other assemblies, receiving hire for ministry towards you. 11:9And being present with you and lacking, I did not lazily burden any one, (for the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied what I lacked,) and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will keep myself. 11:10[The] truth of Christ is in me that this boasting shall not be stopped as to me in the regions of Achaia. 11:11Why? because I do not love you? God knows. 11:12But what I do, I will also do, that I may cut off the opportunity of those wishing [for] an opportunity, that wherein they boast they may be found even as we. 11:13For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 11:14And [it is] not wonderful, for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 11:15It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 11:16Again I say, Let not any one think me to be a fool; but if otherwise, receive me then even as a fool, that *I* also may boast myself some little. 11:17What I speak I do not speak according to [the] Lord, but as in folly, in this confidence of boasting. 11:18Since many boast according to flesh, *I* also will boast. 11:19For ye bear fools readily, being wise. 11:20For ye bear if any one bring you into bondage, if any one devour [you], if any one get [your money], if any one exalt himself, if any one beat you on the face. 11:21I speak as to dishonour, as though *we* had been weak; but wherein any one is daring, (I speak in folly,) *I* also am daring. 11:22Are they Hebrews? *I* also. Are they Israelites? *I* also. Are they seed of Abraham? *I* also. 11:23Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as being beside myself) *I* above measure [so]; in labours exceedingly abundant, in stripes to excess, in prisons exceedingly abundant, in deaths oft. 11:24From the Jews five times have I received forty [stripes], save one. 11:25Thrice have I been scourged, once I have been stoned, three times I have suffered shipwreck, a night and day I passed in the deep: 11:26in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from [my own] race, in perils from [the] nations, in perils in [the] city, in perils in [the] desert, in perils on [the] sea, in perils among false brethren; 11:27in labour and toil, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 11:28Besides those things that are without, the crowd [of cares] pressing on me daily, the burden of all the assemblies. 11:29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is stumbled, and I burn not? 11:30If it is needful to boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. 11:31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus knows he who is blessed for ever that I do not lie. 11:32In Damascus the ethnarch of Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes shut up, wishing to take me; 11:33and through a window in a basket I was let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
12:1Well, it is not of profit to me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of [the] Lord. 12:2I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, (whether in [the] body I know not, or out of the body I know not, God knows;) such [a one] caught up to [the] third heaven. 12:3And I know such a man, (whether in [the] body or out of the body I know not, God knows;) 12:4that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter. 12:5Of such [a one] I will boast, but of myself I will not boast, unless in my weaknesses. 12:6For if I shall desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say [the] truth; but I forbear, lest any one should think as to me above what he sees me [to be], or whatever he may hear of me. 12:7And that I might not be exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted. 12:8For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me. 12:9And he said to me, My grace suffices thee; for [my] power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me. 12:10Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful. 12:11I have become a fool; *ye* have compelled me; for *I* ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing. 12:12The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power. 12:13For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury. 12:14Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; for I do not seek yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 12:15Now *I* shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved. 12:16But be it so. *I* did not burden you, but being crafty I took you by guile. 12:17Did I make gain of you by any of those whom I have sent to you? 12:18I begged Titus, and sent the brother with [him]: did Titus at all make gain of you? have we not walked in the same spirit? [have we] not in the same steps? 12:19Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up. 12:20For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish, and that *I* be found by you such as ye do not wish: lest [there might be] strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances; 12:21lest my God should humble me as to you when I come again, and that I shall grieve over many of those who have sinned before, and have not repented as to the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practised.
13:1This third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every matter be established. 13:2I have declared beforehand, and I say beforehand as present the second time, and now absent, to those that have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare. 13:3Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, (who is not weak towards you, but is powerful among you, 13:4for if indeed he has been crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power; for indeed *we* are weak in him, but we shall live with him by God's power towards you,) 13:5examine your own selves if ye be in the faith; prove your own selves: do ye not recognise yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless indeed ye be reprobates? 13:6Now I hope that ye will know that *we* are not reprobates. 13:7But we pray to God that ye may do nothing evil; not that *we* may appear approved, but that *ye* may do what is right, and *we* be as reprobates. 13:8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 13:9For we rejoice when *we* may be weak and *ye* may be powerful. But this also we pray for, your perfecting. 13:10On this account I write these things being absent, that being present I may not use severity according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for overthrowing. 13:11For the rest, brethren, rejoice; be perfected; be encouraged; be of one mind; be at peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 13:12Salute one another with a holy kiss. 13:13All the saints salute you. 13:14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, [be] with you all.
Galatians
1:1Paul, apostle, not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God [the] Father who raised him from among [the] dead, 1:2and all the brethren with me, to the assemblies of Galatia. 1:3Grace to you, and peace, from God [the] Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, 1:4who gave himself for our sins, so that he should deliver us out of the present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father; 1:5to whom [be] glory to the ages of ages. Amen. 1:6I wonder that ye thus quickly change, from him that called you in Christ's grace, to a different gospel, 1:7which is not another [one]; but there are some that trouble you, and desire to pervert the glad tidings of the Christ. 1:8But if even *we* or an angel out of heaven announce as glad tidings to you [anything] besides what we have announced as glad tidings to you, let him be accursed. 1:9As we have said before, now also again I say, If any one announce to you as glad tidings [anything] besides what ye have received, let him be accursed. 1:10For do I now seek to satisfy men or God? or do I seek to please men? If I were yet pleasing men, I were not Christ's bondman. 1:11But I let you know, brethren, [as to] the glad tidings which were announced by me, that they are not according to man. 1:12For neither did I receive them from man, neither was I taught [them], but by revelation of Jesus Christ. 1:13For ye have heard [what was] my conversation formerly in Judaism, that I excessively persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it; 1:14and advanced in Judaism beyond many [my] contemporaries in my nation, being exceedingly zealous of the doctrines of my fathers. 1:15But when God, who set me apart [even] from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace, 1:16was pleased to reveal his Son in me, that I may announce him as glad tidings among the nations, immediately I took not counsel with flesh and blood, 1:17nor went I up to Jerusalem to those [who were] apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus. 1:18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to make acquaintance with Peter, and I remained with him fifteen days; 1:19but I saw none other of the apostles, but James the brother of the Lord. 1:20Now what I write to you, behold, before God, I do not lie. 1:21Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 1:22But I was unknown personally to the assemblies of Judaea which [are] in Christ; 1:23only they were hearing that he who persecuted us formerly now announces the glad tidings of the faith which formerly he ravaged: 1:24and they glorified God in me.
2:1Then after a lapse of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with [me]; 2:2and I went up according to revelation, and I laid before them the glad tidings which I preach among the nations, but privately to those conspicuous [among them], lest in any way I run or had run in vain; 2:3(but neither was Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, compelled to be circumcised;) 2:4and [it was] on account of the false brethren brought in surreptitiously, who came in surreptitiously to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; 2:5to whom we yielded in subjection not even for an hour, that the truth of the glad tidings might remain with you. 2:6But from those who were conspicuous as being somewhat whatsoever they were, it makes no difference to me: God does not accept man's person; for to me those who were conspicuous communicated nothing; 2:7but, on the contrary, seeing that the glad tidings of the uncircumcision were confided to me, even as to Peter that of the circumcision, 2:8(for he that wrought in Peter for [the] apostleship of the circumcision wrought also in me towards the Gentiles,) 2:9and recognising the grace given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were conspicuous as being pillars, gave to me and Barnabas [the] right hands of fellowship, that *we* [should go] to the nations, and *they* to the circumcision; 2:10only that we should remember the poor, which same thing also I was diligent to do. 2:11But when Peter came to Antioch, I withstood him to [the] face, because he was to be condemned: 2:12for before that certain came from James, he ate with [those of] the nations; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those of [the] circumcision; 2:13and the rest of the Jews also played the same dissembling part with him; so that even Barnabas was carried away too by their dissimulation. 2:14But when I saw that they do not walk straightforwardly, according to the truth of the glad tidings, I said to Peter before all, If *thou*, being a Jew, livest as the nations and not as the Jews, how dost thou compel the nations to Judaize? 2:15We, Jews by nature, and not sinners of [the] nations, 2:16but knowing that a man is not justified on the principle of works of law [nor] but by the faith of Jesus Christ, *we* also have believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified on the principle of [the] faith of Christ; and not of works of law; because on the principle of works of law no flesh shall be justified. 2:17Now if in seeking to be justified in Christ we also have been found sinners, then [is] Christ minister of sin? Far be the thought. 2:18For if the things I have thrown down, these I build again, I constitute myself a transgressor. 2:19For *I*, through law, have died to law, that I may live to God. 2:20I am crucified with Christ, and no longer live, *I*, but Christ lives in me; but [in] that I now live in flesh, I live by faith, the [faith] of the Son of God, who has loved me and given himself for me. 2:21I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness [is] by law, then Christ has died for nothing.
3:1O senseless Galatians, who has bewitched you; to whom, as before your very eyes, Jesus Christ has been portrayed, crucified [among you]? 3:2This only I wish to learn of you, Have ye received the Spirit on the principle of works of law, or of [the] report of faith? 3:3Are ye so senseless? having begun in Spirit, are ye going to be made perfect in flesh? 3:4Have ye suffered so many things in vain, if indeed also in vain? 3:5He therefore who ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, [is it] on the principle of works of law, or of [the] report of faith? 3:6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 3:7Know then that they that are on the principle of faith, these are Abraham's sons; 3:8and the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the nations on the principle of faith, announced beforehand the glad tidings to Abraham: In thee all the nations shall be blessed. 3:9So that they who are on the principle of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. 3:10For as many as are on the principle of works of law are under curse. For it is written, Cursed is every one who does not continue in all things which [are] written in the book of the law to do them; 3:11but that by law no one is justified with God [is] evident, because The just shall live on the principle of faith; 3:12but the law is not on the principle of faith; but, He that shall have done these things shall live by them. 3:13Christ has redeemed us out of the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, (for it is written, Cursed [is] every one hanged upon a tree,) 3:14that the blessing of Abraham might come to the nations in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 3:15Brethren, (I speak according to man,) even man's confirmed covenant no one sets aside, or adds other dispositions to. 3:16But to Abraham were the promises addressed, and to his seed: he does not say, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed; which is Christ. 3:17Now I say this, A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which took place four hundred and thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. 3:18For if the inheritance [be] on the principle of law, [it is] no longer on the principle of promise; but God gave it in grace to Abraham by promise. 3:19Why then the law? It was added for the sake of transgressions, until the seed came to whom the promise was made, ordained through angels in [the] hand of a mediator. 3:20But a mediator is not of one, but God is one. 3:21[Is] then the law against the promises of God? Far be the thought. For if a law had been given able to quicken, then indeed righteousness were on the principle of law; 3:22but the scripture has shut up all things under sin, that the promise, on the principle of faith of Jesus Christ, should be given to those that believe. 3:23But before faith came, we were guarded under law, shut up to faith [which was] about to be revealed. 3:24So that the law has been our tutor up to Christ, that we might be justified on the principle of faith. 3:25But, faith having come, we are no longer under a tutor; 3:26for ye are all God's sons by faith in Christ Jesus. 3:27For ye, as many as have been baptised unto Christ, have put on Christ. 3:28There is no Jew nor Greek; there is no bondman nor freeman; there is no male and female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus: 3:29but if *ye* [are] of Christ, then ye are Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.
4:1Now I say, As long as the heir is a child, he differs nothing from a bondman, though he be lord of all; 4:2but he is under guardians and stewards until the period fixed by the father. 4:3So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the principles of the world; 4:4but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, come of woman, come under law, 4:5that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive sonship. 4:6But because ye are sons, God has sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 4:7So thou art no longer bondman, but son; but if son, heir also through God. 4:8But then indeed, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods; 4:9but now, knowing God, but rather being known by God, how do ye turn again to the weak and beggarly principles to which ye desire to be again anew in bondage? 4:10Ye observe days and months and times and years. 4:11I am afraid of you, lest indeed I have laboured in vain as to you. 4:12Be as *I* [am], for *I* also [am] as *ye*, brethren, I beseech you: ye have not at all wronged me. 4:13But ye know that in weakness of the flesh I announced the glad tidings to you at the first; 4:14and my temptation, which [was] in my flesh, ye did not slight nor reject with contempt; but ye received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 4:15What then [was] your blessedness? for I bear you witness that, if possible, plucking out your own eyes ye would have given [them] to me. 4:16So I have become your enemy in speaking the truth to you? 4:17They are not rightly zealous after you, but desire to shut you out [from us], that ye may be zealous after them. 4:18But [it is] right to be zealous at all times in what is right, and not only when I am present with you 4:19my children, of whom I again travail in birth until Christ shall have been formed in you: 4:20and I should wish to be present with you now, and change my voice, for I am perplexed as to you. 4:21Tell me, ye who are desirous of being under law, do ye not listen to the law? 4:22For it is written that Abraham had two sons; one of the maid servant, and one of the free woman. 4:23But he [that was] of the maid servant was born according to flesh, and he [that was] of the free woman through the promise. 4:24Which things have an allegorical sense; for these are two covenants: one from mount Sinai, gendering to bondage, which is Hagar. 4:25For Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which [is] now, for she is in bondage with her children; 4:26but the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother. 4:27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break out and cry, thou that travailest not; because the children of the desolate are more numerous than [those] of her that has a husband. 4:28But *ye*, brethren, after the pattern of Isaac, are children of promise. 4:29But as then he that was born according to flesh persecuted him [that was born] according to Spirit, so also [it is] now. 4:30But what says the scripture? Cast out the maid servant and her son; for the son of the maid servant shall not inherit with the son of the free woman. 4:31So then, brethren, we are not maid servant's children, but [children] of the free woman.
5:1Christ has set us free in freedom; stand fast therefore, and be not held again in a yoke of bondage. 5:2Behold, I, Paul, say to you, that if ye are circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 5:3And I witness again to every man [who is] circumcised, that he is debtor to do the whole law. 5:4Ye are deprived of all profit from the Christ as separated [from him], as many as are justified by law; ye have fallen from grace. 5:5For we, by [the] Spirit, on the principle of faith, await the hope of righteousness. 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any force, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love. 5:7Ye ran well; who has stopped you that ye should not obey the truth? 5:8The persuasibleness [is] not of him that calls you. 5:9A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 5:10*I* have confidence as to you in [the] Lord, that ye will have no other mind; and he that is troubling you shall bear the guilt [of it], whosoever he may be. 5:11But *I*, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why am I yet persecuted? Then the scandal of the cross has been done away. 5:12I would that they would even cut themselves off who throw you into confusion. 5:13For *ye* have been called to liberty, brethren; only [do] not [turn] liberty into an opportunity to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 5:14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; 5:15but if ye bite and devour one another, see that ye are not consumed one of another. 5:16But I say, Walk in [the] Spirit, and ye shall no way fulfil flesh's lust. 5:17For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these things are opposed one to the other, that ye should not do those things which ye desire; 5:18but if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under law. 5:19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, 5:20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, disputes, schools of opinion, 5:21envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revels, and things like these; as to which I tell you beforehand, even as I also have said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit God's kingdom. 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, fidelity, 5:23meekness, self-control: against such things there is no law. 5:24But they that [are] of the Christ have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts. 5:25If we live by the Spirit, let us walk also by the Spirit. 5:26Let us not become vain-glorious, provoking one another, envying one another.