2 Corinthians 1

1 Paul apostle of Christ Jesus through [the] will of God and Timothy the brother To the church of God which is being in Corinth with the saints all who are being in all Achaia;

This letter comes from Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the will of God, and from Timothy, our brother. It is sent to the church of God in Corinth, together with all of God's people throughout Achaia.

2 Grace to you and peace from God [the] Father of us and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.

May you have grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of the Lord of us Jesus Christ, the Father of compassions and God of all comfort,

Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the compassionate Father and the God of all comfort.

4 who is comforting us in all the tribulation of us for to be able us to comfort those in every tribulation through the comfort with which we are comforted ourselves by God;

He comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those who are also in trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

5 because even as abound the sufferings of the Christ toward us, thus so through Christ abounds also the comfort of us.

The more we share in Christ's sufferings, the more we receive the abundant comfort of Christ.

6 If however we are constricted, [it is] for your comfort and salvation if we are encouraged, [it is] for your comfort (and salvation *KO*) which is operating in [the] endurance of the same sufferings that also we ourselves suffer,

If we are in distress, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are being comforted, it is for your comfort, which results in you patiently bearing the same sufferings that we suffer.

7 And the hope of us [is] steadfast for of you; knowing that (as *N(k)O*) partners you are of the sufferings, so also of the comfort.

We have great confidence in you, knowing that as you share in our sufferings you also share in our comfort.

8 Not for do we want you to be ignorant brothers, (as to *NK(o)*) the affliction of us having happened (to us *k*) in Asia that against excessively beyond [our] power we were weighed so as to despair for us even to live;

Brothers and sisters, we won't keep you in the dark about the trouble we had in Asia. We were so overwhelmed that we were afraid we wouldn't have the strength to continue—so much so we doubted we would live through it.

9 But we in ourselves the sentence of death has, in order that not having trusted we may be in ourselves but in God who is raising the dead;

In fact it was like a death sentence inside us. This was to stop us relying on ourselves and to trust in God who raises the dead.

10 who from such a great a death has delivered us and (will deliver [us] *N(k)O*) in whom we have hope that also still He will deliver [us]

He saved us from a terrible death, and he will do so again. We have total confidence in God that he will continue to save us.

11 joining together also of you for us by supplication, so that by many persons for the toward us grace bestowed through many thanks may be given for (us. *NK(O)*)

You help us by praying for us. In this way many will thank God for us because of the blessing that God will give us in response to the prayers of many.

12 For boasting of us this is, the testimony of the conscience of us, that in (openness *NK(O)*) and sincerity (*no*) of God, (and *no*) not in wisdom fleshly but in [the] grace of God we have conducted ourselves in the world, more abundantly now toward you.

We take pride in the fact—and our conscience confirms it—that we have acted properly towards people, and especially to you. We have followed God's principles of holiness and sincerity, not according to worldly wisdom but through the grace of God.

13 No for other things we write to you, other than what you read or even understand; I hope now that (and *k*) to [the] end you will understand,

For we are not writing anything complicated that you can't read and understand. I hope you'll understand in the end,

14 even as also you have understood us in part that boasting of you we are, even as also you [are] ours in the day of the Lord (of us *NO*) Jesus.

even if you only understand part of it now, so that when the Lord comes you will be proud of us, just as we are of you.

15 And with this confidence I was planning (*o*) previously to you to come so that secondly (grace *NK(O)*) (you may have *N(k)O*)

Because I was so sure of your confidence in me I planned to come and visit you first. That way you could have benefited twice,

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

as I would go on from you to Macedonia, and then return from Macedonia to you. Then I would have had you send me on my way to Judea.

17 Thus therefore (deciding *N(k)O*) surely not ever then levity did I use? Or what I purpose according to flesh do I purpose, so that there may be with me myself Yes yes and No no?

Why did I change my original plan? Do you think I make my decisions lightly? Do you think that when I plan I'm like some worldly person who says Yes and No at the same time?

18 Faithful however God [is], that the word of us to you not (was *N(k)O*) Yes and No;

Just as God can be trusted, when we give you our word it's not both Yes and No.

19 The of God for Son Jesus Christ the [One] among you through us having been proclaimed through me and Silvanus and Timothy, not was Yes and No, but Yes in Him it has always been;

The truth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was announced to you by us—me, Silvanus, and Timothy—and it wasn't both Yes and No. In Christ the answer is absolutely Yes!

20 As many as for promises of God [there are], in Him [is] the Yes; (Therefore *NO*) also (thorugh Him *N(k)O*) the Amen to God [is] for glory through us.

However, many promises God has made, in Christ the answer is always Yes. Through him we respond, saying Yes to the glory of God.

21 The [One] now establishing us with you unto Christ and having anointed us [is] God,

God has given both us and you the inner strength to stand firm in Christ. God has appointed us,

22 the [One] also having sealed us and having given the pledge of the Spirit in the hearts of us.

placed his stamp of approval on us, and given us the guarantee of the Spirit to convince us.

23 I myself however as witness God call upon my soul that sparing you no longer no longer have I come to Corinth;

I call God as my witness that it was to avoid causing you pain that I chose not to come to Corinth.

24 Not for we lord it over your faith, but fellow workers are of the joy with you; in the for faith you have stood firm.

This isn't because we want to dictate how you relate to God, but because we want to help you have a joyful experience—for it's by trusting God that you stand firm.