The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.

Moreover I call upon God as a witness against my soul, that in order to spare you, I came no more to Corinth.

Again, do you think that we are defending ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,

I am speaking truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience witnessing with me in the Holy Spirit,

Now, what I write to you, behold, before God, I do not lie.

For neither were we using flattering speech, as you know, nor covering up greed, God is [our] witness.

You are witnesses, and [so is] God, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we were to you that believe;

for which I was appointed a herald and apostle--I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie--a teacher of Gentiles in faith and truth.

But what I am doing, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity of those who desire an opportunity, that in what they boast they may be found just as we [are].

Again I say, let no one think me a fool. Otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.

What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

not boasting beyond the limits in the labors of others, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you according to our sphere [of influence],

But I used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should become thus for me; for it is better for me rather to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.

For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, I have been entrusted with a commission.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, together with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

for I know your readiness, about which I boast concerning you to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has provoked the majority.

Now while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one purpose rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,

And when he desired to go across to Achaia, having urged him on, the brothers wrote to the disciples [there] to receive him; and when he arrived, he assisted greatly with those who had believed through grace;

And greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.

I urge you, brothers (you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints)

so that you became patterns to all those who believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

For from you the word of the Lord has resounded, not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.