Second Letter to the Corinthians

As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever."

Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;

you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.

For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;

seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;

while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you.

Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.

For though we walk in the flesh, we don't wage war according to the flesh;

for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,

throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;

and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full.

Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ's, so also we are Christ's.

For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be put to shame,

that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.