For I planned to visit you on my way to Macedonia and again on my way back, in order to get help from you for my trip to Judea.

In planning this, did I appear fickle? When I make my plans, do I make them from selfish motives, ready to say "Yes, yes" and "No, no" at the same time?

But I was deeply worried, because I could not find our brother Titus. So I said good-bye to the people there and went on to Macedonia.

After the uproar died down, Paul called together the believers and with words of encouragement said good-bye to them. Then he left and went on to Macedonia.

I shall come to you after I have gone through Macedonia---for I have to go through Macedonia.

We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair;

At all times we carry in our mortal bodies the death of Jesus, so that his life also may be seen in our bodies.

This means that death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Are they Christ's servants? I sound like a madman---but I am a better servant than they are! I have worked much harder, I have been in prison more times, I have been whipped much more, and I have been near death more often.

three times I was whipped by the Romans; and once I was stoned. I have been in three shipwrecks, and once I spent twenty-four hours in the water.

There has been work and toil; often I have gone without sleep; I have been hungry and thirsty; I have often been without enough food, shelter, or clothing.

When someone is weak, then I feel weak too; when someone is led into sin, I am filled with distress.

but since the water still covered all the land, the dove did not find a place to light. It flew back to the boat, and Noah reached out and took it in.

You will crumble like rocks burned to make lime, like thorns burned to ashes.

My sorrow cannot be healed; I am sick at heart.

you are saying, 'I give up! The LORD has added sorrow to my troubles. I am worn out from groaning, and I can't find any rest!'

"Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.

For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light."

We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair;

All around them terror is waiting; it follows them at every step.

We don't dare go to the countryside or walk on the roads, because our enemies are armed and terror is all around us."

I hear everybody whispering, "Terror is everywhere! So let's report him to the authorities!" Even my close friends wait for my downfall. "Perhaps he can be tricked," they say; "then we can catch him and get revenge."

War will bring death in the streets; terrors will strike in the homes. Young men and young women will die; neither babies nor old people will be spared.

My friends, I face death every day! The pride I have in you, in our life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord, makes me declare this.

That is why I wrote that letter to you---I did not want to come to you and be made sad by the very people who should make me glad. For I am convinced that when I am happy, then all of you are happy too.

I wrote you that letter because I wanted to find out how well you had stood the test and whether you are always ready to obey my instructions.

When someone is weak, then I feel weak too; when someone is led into sin, I am filled with distress.

I am afraid that when I get there I will find you different from what I would like you to be and you will find me different from what you would like me to be. I am afraid that I will find quarreling and jealousy, hot tempers and selfishness, insults and gossip, pride and disorder.

I am afraid that the next time I come my God will humiliate me in your presence, and I shall weep over many who sinned in the past and have not repented of the immoral things they have done---their lust and their sexual sins.

I am worried about you! Can it be that all my work for you has been for nothing?

My dear children! Once again, just like a mother in childbirth, I feel the same kind of pain for you until Christ's nature is formed in you.

How I wish I were with you now, so that I could take a different attitude toward you. I am so worried about you!

That is why I had to send Timothy. I could not bear it any longer, so I sent him to find out about your faith. Surely it could not be that the Devil had tempted you and all our work had been for nothing!