1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in the entire region of Achaia:

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

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4Who comforts us in all our tribulation, in order that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trial, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5For to the degree that the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6And if we are in distress, it is for your comfort and salvation, which is being worked out by your enduring the same sufferings that we also suffer; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort and salvation (and our hope is steadfast for you); 7Knowing that as you are partners in the sufferings, you are also partners in the comfort.

8For we do not want you to be ignorant of our tribulations, brethren, even the trials that befell us in Asia; we were exceedingly burdened beyond our own strength, so much so that we even despaired of living. 9For we had the sentence of death within ourselves, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God, Who raises the dead; 10Who delivered us from so great a death, and continues to deliver; in Whom we have hope that He will even yet deliver; 11While you also are laboring together for us by supplication to God, that the gift to us from many persons might be the cause of thanksgiving by many for us.

12For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in the simplicity and sincerity of God (not in carnal wisdom, but in the grace of God), we had our conduct in the world, but more abundantly toward you. 13For we do not write any other things to you but what you have read and already acknowledge; and I hope that you will acknowledge them even to the end; 14According as you did also acknowledge us in part, that we are your boasting, even as you are also our boasting in the day of the Lord Jesus.

15And with this confidence, I had previously planned to come to you, so that you might have a second benefit; 16And after coming by you, I intended to travel through to Macedonia, and to come again from Macedonia to you, and then be accompanied by you to Judea. 17Now then, in planning this journey, was I light-minded? Or are the things that I resolve to do motivated by the flesh, that there should be with me wavering between yes and no? 18But God is faithful, so that our word to you was not yes and no. 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, Who was preached by us among you (by me and Silvanus and Timothy), was not first yes and then no, but in Him has always been yes. 20For whatever promises of God there are, in Him is the yes, and in Him the Amen, with glory to God by us. 21But He Who establishes us with you in Christ, and Who has anointed us, is God, 22Who has also sealed us and has given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

23But I call upon God to bear witness of my intentions, that in order to spare you I did not yet come to Corinth-- 24Not that we exercise lordship over your faith, but because we are working with you to increase your joy. For you stand by faith.