CHAPTER ONE: 1 I, Paul, chosen by the will of God as an ambassador of Christ Jesus, and joined by our fellow worker, Timothy, To the community of God in Corinth and all the dedicated believers in the wider region of Achaia: 2 May the kindness and tranquillity of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ enrich your lives. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of infinite compassion and solace. 4 It is He who consoles us in every trial, enabling us to provide that same comfort to others who endure any form of distress. 5 Just as we abundantly share in the sufferings of Christ, so through Christ, we also abound in comfort. 6 Our endurance in affliction contributes to your comfort and redemption. And when we find solace, it is for your benefit, as you patiently face similar trials. 7 Our confidence in your endurance remains unwavering, knowing that as you partake in our tribulations, you will also share in the comfort we receive. 8 Brothers and sisters, we want you to understand the challenges we faced in Asia, burdened beyond our ability to endure, reaching the point of despairing of life itself. 9 This happened to make us rely not on our strength but on God, the One who raises the dead. 10 He rescued us from imminent peril, and we trust He will deliver us again. Our hope is firmly placed in Him. 11 Your prayers are vital; they contribute to the gratitude expressed by many on our behalf, acknowledging the blessings received through the intercession of the multitude. 12 Our pride is in the testimony of our conscience, affirming that our conduct in the world was marked by simplicity and godly sincerity. This was not guided by human wisdom but by the grace of God, especially evident in our dealings with you. 13 Our letters convey nothing beyond what you comprehend and understand. I trust you will fully grasp the message—14 just as you partially understood us. On the day of our Lord Jesus, you will take pride in us, and we, in you. 15 Confident in this, I had planned to visit you twice, providing you with a double dose of grace. 16 Initially, I intended to stop in Corinth on my way to Macedonia and then return from Macedonia to be sent on my way to Judea by you. 17 Some may question the sincerity of my plans. Am I fickle, making decisions based on mere human impulses, simultaneously saying "Yes" and "No"? 18 Rest assured, our commitment to you is unwavering. The message about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, proclaimed among you by Silvanus, Timothy, and me, is consistent—always "Yes." 19 All of God's promises find their affirmation in Christ, and through Him, we respond with our "Amen" to God, bringing glory to Him. 20 It is God who establishes and anoints us in Christ, sealing us with His Spirit as a guarantee in our hearts. 23 I invoke God as my witness; it was out of consideration for you that I refrained from revisiting Corinth. 24 We don't dictate over your faith; instead, we collaborate with you for your joy because you stand firm in your faith.
CHAPTER FOUR: 4 Therefore, entrusted with this ministry by God's mercy, we stand firm and do not lose heart. 2 We reject shameful, deceitful practices and refuse to manipulate God's word. Instead, by openly declaring the truth, we seek to commend ourselves to every conscience in the presence of God. 3 Even if our message is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel that reveals the glory of Christ, the image of God. 5 We proclaim not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and we consider ourselves servants for your sake. 6 God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to reveal the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We carry this treasure in fragile jars of clay to show that the extraordinary power comes from God, not from us. 8 Though troubled on every side, we are not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We bear in our bodies the death of Jesus, so that His life may also be revealed in us. 11 While we live, we face death for Jesus' sake, so that His life may be evident in our mortal bodies. 12 So, death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 Moved by the same spirit of faith that says, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe and speak. 14 We are confident that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Him and bring us into His presence. 15 All these hardships are for your benefit, increasing thanksgiving and bringing glory to God as grace extends to more and more people. 16 Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is renewed day by day. 17 The temporary troubles we face are achieving eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 We fix our gaze not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
CHAPTER SIX: 6 We work together with God, so we ask you not to ignore His kindness. 2 As the Scriptures say, "When God decided it was the right time, I listened to you. When the day of salvation came, I helped you." Now is the right time! Today is the day of salvation! 3 We don't want to give anyone a reason to find fault with our work. 4 Instead, we show that we are God's servants by being patient in everything. We face troubles, hardships, and difficulties. 5 We have been beaten, put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, stayed awake through sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We show our purity by living right, our understanding by being patient, our kindness by being kind, the Holy Spirit by having genuine love, 7 and the message of truth by speaking the power of God. We use the right and left hands for the weapons of righteousness. 8 People may say good or bad things about us, but we speak the truth. We may be unknown, but we are well known. 9 We may be near death, but we are still alive. We may be punished, but we are not killed. 10 We may be sad, but we are always happy. We may be poor, but we make many people rich. We may have nothing, but we own everything. 11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are wide open to you. 12 It's not that we're holding back from you; it's that you are holding back from us. 13 I speak to you as I would to my children: open your hearts wide to us. 14 Don't team up with unbelievers. What do righteousness and sin have in common? Can light and darkness be friends? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 How can God's temple agree with idols? We are the temple of the living God, just as God said: "I will live with them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 So leave them and separate yourselves, says the Lord. Don't touch anything that is not clean, and I will welcome you. 18 I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
CHAPTER EIGHT: 8 Brothers and sisters, we want to tell you about the kindness God has shown to the churches in Macedonia. 2 Even though they were going through hard times and were very poor, they were filled with joy, and their deep poverty led them to be very generous. 3 They gave as much as they could afford, and even more, willingly and on their own. 4 They begged us to let them share in this service to help God's people. 5 And they went beyond what we expected—they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, just as God wanted. 6 So we urged Titus to finish what he had started among you because we believe you have the same interest in doing this well that the Macedonians have. 7 Just as you excel in faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness, and love for us, excel in this service of giving too. 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to see if your love is true by comparing it with the eagerness of others. 9 Remember how our Lord Jesus Christ, though he was rich, became poor for your sake, so that you could become rich through his poverty. 10 I'm giving you advice because it will be good for you. You were the first to want to give, so finish the work you started. 11 Now finish doing it, so your eagerness can be matched by completing it with what you have. 12 If you are eager to give, your gift is accepted based on what you have, not what you don't have. 13 I am not trying to make life easy for others and hard for you, but I want to make things fair. 14 Right now, you have plenty and can help those in need. Later, they may have plenty and can help you when you are in need. This way, things will be fair. 15 As the Scriptures say, "Those who gathered much did not have too much, and those who gathered little did not have too little." 16 Thanks be to God for putting the same concern for you in the heart of Titus. 17 He accepted our request and is now going to visit you willingly and on his own. 18 We are also sending with him the brother who is well-known among all the churches for spreading the Good News. 19 He has also been chosen by the churches to accompany us in this service of love, which we are doing for the Lord's glory and to show our willingness. 20 We are taking precautions so that no one can blame us for the way we handle this generous gift. 21 We aim to do what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of others. 22 We are also sending with them another trusted brother who has proved himself earnest in many matters, and he is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker for your benefit. And as for the other brothers, they are messengers from the churches and a credit to Christ. 24 Show them, in the sight of the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting about you.
CHAPTER TEN: 10 I, Paul, am asking you with the gentleness of Christ. People say I'm humble when I'm with you, but bold when I'm away. 2 I hope that when I come to see you, I won't have to be too bold with those who question whether we're doing God's work. 3 Even though we live in the physical world, our fight isn't a physical one. 4 We don't use physical weapons; instead, we have God's power to break down strongholds. 5 We knock down arguments and prideful ideas that oppose the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into obedience to Christ. 6 We're ready to punish disobedience once your obedience is complete. 7 Consider the obvious: If someone belongs to Christ, they should remember that we belong to Christ as well. 8 Even if I brag a bit too much about the authority the Lord gave us to build you up, not tear you down, I won't be ashamed. 9 I don't want to scare you with my letters. 10 Some say, "His letters are strong, but he's weak in person, and his speaking isn't impressive." 11 Let them know that what I say in letters, I'll back up in person. 12 We're not daring to compare ourselves to those who boast about themselves. When they measure themselves by each other, they lack understanding. 13 We won't boast beyond the area God assigned to us. We're the first to bring the gospel to you, not overstepping our limits. 15 we hope that, as your faith grows, our influence among you will expand. 16 Then we can share the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting about someone else's work. 17 Remember, if you boast, boast in the Lord. 18 It's not about self-praise; it's about the approval that comes from the Lord, not from ourselves.
CHAPTER TWELVE: 12 I'll continue boasting, although it doesn't benefit me. Let me share about visions and messages from the Lord. 2 I know a person in Christ, taken to the third heaven fourteen years ago—whether in the body or not, only God knows. 3 This person experienced paradise—whether in the body or not, only God knows— 4 heard indescribable things, which are not allowed to be shared. 5 I'll boast on behalf of this person, but for myself, I'll only boast about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I wanted to boast more, I wouldn't be foolish because it would be the truth. But I refrain so that you won't think more highly of me than what you see or hear from me. 7 To prevent me from becoming proud due to these extraordinary revelations, a painful problem was given to me—a messenger of Satan to torment me. 8 Three times I begged the Lord to take it away, 9 but He said, "My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." So, I'll gladly boast about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power can rest on me. 10 For the sake of Christ, I'm okay with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. When I'm weak, then I'm strong. 11 I've been foolish, and you made me do it. You should have praised me, for I'm not inferior to those super-apostles, even though I'm nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were evident among you with great patience, signs, wonders, and powerful deeds. 13 What were you lacking compared to other churches, except that I didn't burden you? Forgive me for this! 14 I'm ready to come to you for the third time. I won't be a burden because I don't want your possessions; I want you. Parents save for their children, not the other way around. 15 I'll gladly spend and be spent for your well-being. If I love you more, should I be loved less? 16 You might think I was cunning and deceived you. 17 Did I take advantage of you through those I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and the brother went with him. Did Titus exploit you? Didn't we follow the same principles? 19 Have you been thinking all along that we're defending ourselves to you? No, it's in the sight of God, speaking in Christ, for your benefit, dear ones. 20 I'm afraid when I come, I won't find you as I hope, and you won't find me as you wish. There might be quarrelling, jealousy, anger, slander, gossip, pride, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I'll have to mourn over those who haven't repented of their impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: 13 This is my third visit to you. Every accusation must be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 2 I warned those who sinned before, and I'm warning them again now, even though I'm not there. Just as I did on my second visit, I'm letting you know that if I come again, I won't be lenient. 3 Some of you are demanding proof that Christ speaks through me. He's not weak when dealing with you but powerful. 4 Although He was crucified in weakness, He lives by God's power. We are also weak with Him, but when dealing with you, we will live with Him by God's power. 5 Check yourselves to see if you're truly in the faith. Test yourselves. Don't you realize that Jesus Christ is in you unless you fail the test? 6 I hope you'll see that we haven't failed the test. 7 We pray to God that you won't do wrong. It's not about us appearing to pass the test, but that you do what's right, even if it seems like we've failed. 8 We can't act against the truth, only for the truth. 9 We're glad when we're weak and you're strong. We pray for your restoration. 10 That's why I'm writing these things while away from you so that when I come, I won't have to use the authority the Lord gave me harshly, which is meant for building up, not tearing down. 11 Finally, brothers and sisters, be joyful. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, and live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints send their greetings. 14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
CHAPTER THREE: 3 Are we seeking approval once more, needing letters of recommendation to or from you, as some insist? 2 Your lives are our letter of commendation, inscribed on our hearts, recognized, and read by everyone. 3 You are a letter from Christ, conveyed through us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on the tablets of human hearts. 4 This assurance we possess through Christ toward God. 5 Our competence is not self-derived, but from God. 6 He has enabled us to be ministers of a renewed covenant, not bound by the written code but empowered by the Spirit. The letter kills, but the Spirit brings life. 7 If the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites couldn't look intently at Moses' face due to its fading brilliance, 8 how much more glorious is the ministry of the Spirit? 9 If the ministry of condemnation was glorious, the ministry of righteousness surpasses it in glory. 10 What once had glory now has none, overshadowed by the surpassing glory. 11 If the temporary had glory, how much greater is the glory of the permanent? 12 With such hope, we speak boldly, not like Moses, who veiled his face to shield the Israelites from the fading glory. 14 However, their minds remained hardened. Even today, when the old covenant is read, the same veil persists, only lifted through Christ. 15 Whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 With unveiled faces, we all reflect the glory of the Lord, being transformed into His image from one degree of glory to another. This is the work of the Lord, who is the Spirit.
CHAPTER FIVE: 1 We know that if our earthly home, like a tent, is taken down, we have a permanent home from God. It's a house not made by human hands, and it lasts forever in heaven. 2 While we live in this temporary home, we wish we could put on our eternal dwelling. 3 We hope that when we put it on, we won't be left without anything. 4 While we're still in this temporary home, we feel the weight of our human life. We don't want to be without a body; we want to put on an even better one. Then the life that cannot be destroyed will swallow up the life that can be destroyed. 5 God has prepared us for this change, and His Spirit is the guarantee of what He has prepared. 6 So, we're always brave and sure, even though we know that while we are in this body, we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by what we believe, not by what we see. 8 We are always brave, and we would rather be away from this body because then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 Whether we are at home or away from home, we want to please Him. 10 We must all stand before Christ to be judged. Each of us will receive what we should get—good or bad—for the things we did in the earthly body. 11 We know what it means to respect the Lord, so we try to persuade people. God knows what we are, and I hope that in your hearts you know us too. 12 We are not trying to prove ourselves to you again. We want you to be proud of us, so you will be able to answer those who brag about what people look like on the outside and not about what is in their hearts. 13 If we seem to be out of our minds, it is between us and God. But if we are in our right minds, it is for you. 14 The love of Christ controls us because we know that one person died for everyone. So, everyone has died. 15 Christ died for everyone so that those who lived would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from the dead so that they would live for Him. 16 So from this time on, we don't think of anyone as the world does. It is true that in the past we thought of Christ as the world thinks. But we don't think that way now. 17 When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!
18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between us and Himself. And God gave us the work of bringing others into peace with Him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and Himself. In Christ, God did not hold the world guilty of its sins. And He gave us the message of peace. 20 So, we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is as if God is calling to people through us. We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God. 21 Christ had no sin, but God made Him become sin so that in Christ, we might become right with God.
CHAPTER SEVEN: 7 My dear friends, because God has promised us these things, let's make ourselves pure. Let's get rid of anything that makes our bodies or spirits impure, and let's bring holiness to completion by respecting and obeying God. 2 Open your hearts to us. We haven't wronged anyone, corrupted anyone, or taken advantage of anyone. 3 I'm not saying this to condemn you. I've said before that you are in our hearts, to live and die together. 4 I am speaking to you with great confidence. I take great pride in you, and I am comforted. Despite all our troubles, I am filled with joy. 5 When we came to Macedonia, we faced many challenges. We were troubled on every side—conflicts on the outside and fears on the inside. 6 But God, who comforts those who are downcast, comforted us through the arrival of Titus. 7 It wasn't only his coming that comforted us but also the comfort he received from you. He told us about your longing, mourning, and zeal for me, and it brought me even more joy. 8 Even though I made you sad with my letter, I don't regret it. Well, I did regret it, but I see that my letter made you sad, though only for a little while. 9 Now, I am happy, not because you were sad, but because your sadness led you to repentance. You were saddened in a way that God approves, so you weren't harmed by us in any way. 10 Godly sadness produces a repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets, but worldly sadness brings death. 11 Just look at what this godly sadness has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! In every way, you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So, although I wrote to you, it wasn't because of the one who did wrong or the one who was wronged. Instead, I wrote to make clear to you, in the sight of God, how much you care for us. 13 That's why we've been comforted. Besides our comfort, we were even happier because of Titus. His spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14 I had boasted to him about you, and you didn't embarrass me. Everything we said to you was true, and our boasting to Titus has also proved to be true. 15 His affection for you is greater as he remembers how you all obeyed and received him with fear and trembling. 16 I am very happy because I have complete confidence in you
CHAPTER NINE: 9 I don't need to write much about the help for fellow Christians, as I know you're ready to contribute. 2 I've already boasted about your willingness to the people in Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been prepared for this since last year, and your enthusiasm has motivated many of them. 3 Still, I'm sending some brothers to you so that our bragging about you won't be in vain. I want you to be prepared, just as I've been saying. 4 If some Macedonians come with me and find that you're not ready, it would be embarrassing for all of us. 5 So, I've urged the brothers to go ahead with you and arrange for the gift you promised. I want it to be a willing gift, not something you feel forced to give. 6 Here's the key point: if you give a little, you'll get a little in return; if you give generously, you'll receive generously. 7 Each person should decide in their heart what to give, not reluctantly or because they feel they have to, but because they genuinely want to. God loves it when people give with joy. 8 And God is powerful enough to provide you with all you need so that you'll always have enough for everything, and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As it says, "He gives freely to the poor, and his goodness lasts forever." 10 The One who gives seed to the farmer and bread to eat will give you more seed and make your harvest grow. 11 You'll have everything you need, and plenty left over to help others. Your generosity will cause many to thank God. 12 This service not only helps God's people but also results in many thanks to God. 13 When they see how willingly you help and hear about your confession of the gospel of Christ, along with your generous contribution, they'll praise God. 14 They long for you and pray for you because of the extraordinary grace of God on you. 15 Thanks be to God for His incredible gift!
CHAPTER ELEVEN: 11 Let me say something a bit foolish—I hope you'll bear with me. 2 I'm concerned for you with a kind of protective love, like a parent arranging a marriage for their child, wanting to present you to Christ as a pure follower. 3 But I'm worried, just like Eve was deceived by the serpent's cleverness, that your thoughts might be led away from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 If someone comes preaching a different Jesus, a different spirit, or a different gospel than what we shared, it seems you're willing to go along with it. 5 I want you to know I'm just as good as those super-apostles you seem to favour. 6 Even if I'm not a great speaker, I've shown you the truth in every way. 7 Did I do something wrong by humbling myself and preaching God's message to you for free? 8 I received support from other churches to serve you. 9 When I was with you and in need, I didn't burden you; the brothers from Macedonia helped me. I won't burden you now or in the future. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, I won't stop boasting in Achaia. 11 Don't think I don't love you; God knows I do! 12 I'll keep doing what I'm doing to expose those who boast about their mission in the same terms as us. 13 They are false apostles, pretending to be Christ's messengers. 14 No surprise, since even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So, it's no shock if his servants disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. They'll get what they deserve. 16 I'll say it again: don't think I'm foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so I can boast a bit. 17 What I'm saying isn't exactly what the Lord would say, but I'm speaking like a fool. 18 Many boast in the flesh, so I'll boast too. 19 You're wise to tolerate fools since you're so wise yourselves. 20 You put up with mistreatment, slavery, and abuse. 21 To my shame, I admit we were too weak for that. But if others dare to boast about those things, I will too. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So, am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I'm a better one, talking like a madman, with more hardships, imprisonments, beatings, near-death experiences, 24 five times lashed by the Jews, three times beaten with rods, stoned once, shipwrecked three times, a night and a day adrift at sea, 25 in constant danger from people, rivers, robbers, my people, Gentiles, in cities, in the wilderness, at sea, and from false brothers; 27 in toil, hardship, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, often without food, in cold, and exposure. 28 Besides all this, there's the daily pressure on me—the anxiety for all the churches. 29 If someone is weak, am I not weak? If someone falls, am I not indignant? 30 If I must boast, I'll boast about things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows I'm not lying. 32 In Damascus, the governor tried to seize me, but I escaped through a window in a basket.