And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer.

just as also you have understood us in part, that we are your boasting, as indeed you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And I wrote this very thing to you, lest when I came, I should have sorrow from those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is [the joy] of you all.

I do not speak to condemn you; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, so that we die together and we live together.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

You observe days and months and seasons and years.

But even if I am being poured upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice; [yea], and I rejoice with you all.

I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for His body, which is the church,

In this way longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

Because of this, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Now for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not burden you. For I do not seek what is yours, but you. For the children ought not to store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

Obey your leaders, and submit to [them], for they keep watch over your souls, as giving an account, in order that they may do this with joy and not groaning, for this [would be] unprofitable for you.

You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.

Now in return for the same--I speak as to children--you also be opened wide.

And King David ceased to go out after Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon, regarding his death.

And Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me now choose out for myself twelve thousand men, and I will arise and follow after David this night.

And I will bring back all the people to you, as a bride returns to her husband: only you seek the life of one man, and all the people shall have peace.

And the king was troubled, and went to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And thus he said as he went, My son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! I [pray] God I had died for you, [even] I [had died] for you, Absalom, my son, my son!

You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned [as kings] without us; and I wish [that] indeed you did reign, in order that we also might reign with you!

We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are despised!

And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I admonish [you].

Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.

Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.