2 Corinthians 2:1

But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God.

I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;

For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers,

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,

For even if I boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down, I will not be ashamed,

Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying.

They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.

When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done with them.

When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News and believe.

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.

These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you.

But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things.

Do all things without complaining and arguing,

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,

Be diligent to come to me soon,

But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.

This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

“ ‘If your brother has become poor, and his hand can’t support himself among you, then you shall uphold him. He shall live with you like an alien and a temporary resident.

So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.

serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;

What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, or has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.

But I call God for a witness to my soul, that I didn’t come to Corinth to spare you.

As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.

he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions,

I said to them, “We, after our ability, have redeemed our brothers the Jews that were sold to the nations; and would you even sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us?” Then they held their peace, and found not a word to say.

The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously.

Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don’t observe your law.

A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly, beloved.

Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.

for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.

For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,

When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

The day following, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present.

I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit

What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

are to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

But with you it may be that I will stay, or even winter, that you may send me on my journey wherever I go.

But as God is faithful, our word toward you was not “Yes and no.”

For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake,

For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,

begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.

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 bold 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.

Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.

For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows.

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forever more, knows that I don’t lie.

I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots,

For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.

to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.

They only asked us to remember the poor—which very thing I was also zealous to do.

Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified?

For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ

For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,

For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),

of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share;

For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them.

but the Lord’s word endures forever.” This is the word of Good News which was preached to you.

As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;

Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing.

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made to grieve, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.

When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.