2 Corinthians 1

1 Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy, the brother, to the congregation of God which is in Corinth, together with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

2 Favor to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies, and the God of all consolation!

4 who comforts us in all out affliction, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any affliction, by the consolation with which they are comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings for Christ abound in us, also, our consolation abounds through Christ.

6 Now, whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort, and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effected by enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer.

7 And out hope of you is steadfast, knowing that, as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the comfort.

8 Wherefore, brethren, we would not have you ignorant concerning our affliction, which happened to us in Asia; that we were exceedingly pressed above our strength, insomuch as we despaired even of life.

9 Nay, more, we ourselves had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we might not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead;

10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver; in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

11 you, also, laboring together in prayer for us, that the gift to us from many persons, may, by many, be acknowledged with thanksgiving for us.

12 For this is our glorying--the testimony of our conscience, that with godly simplicity and sincerity, (not with fleshly wisdom, but by the favor of God, ) we have behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly among you.

13 For we write no other things to you than what you read, and also acknowledge; and I hope that you will acknowledge, even to the end;

14 seeing, indeed, you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

15 And in this persuasions I purposed to come to you first, that you might have a second gift;

16 and from you to pass through into Macedonia, and from Macedonia to come again to you, and by you to be sent forward into Judea.

17 Having, then, purposed this, did I, indeed, use levity? or the things which I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh; so that with me there should be yes, yes, and no, no?

18 But as God is faithful, certainly our word, which was to you, was not yes and no.

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, even by me and Sylvanus, and Timothy, was not yes and no; but in him was yes.

20 And whatever promises are of God, were through him yes, and through him amen, to the glory of God, by us.

21 Now, he who establishes us with you in Christ, and who has anointed us, in God:

22 who has also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

23 Moreover, I call on God as a witness against my soul, that to spare you, I have not as yet come to Corinth.

24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are joint promoters of your joy: for by the faith you stand.