All this timeyou have been thinkingthat we are defendingourselves to you. [Actually], it is in the sightof Godthat we have been speakingin Christ;and allfor your upbuilding,beloved.
Nevertakeyour ownrevenge,beloved,but leaveroomfor the wrath[of God], for it is written,"VENGEANCEIS MINE,I WILL REPAY,"saysthe Lord.
So thenwe pursuethe things which make for peaceand the buildingup of one another.
Eachof us is to pleasehis neighborfor his good,to his edification.
I am tellingthe truthin Christ,I am not lying,my consciencetestifieswith me in the HolySpirit,
Therefore,my beloved,fleefrom idolatry.
justas I alsopleaseallmen in all things,not seekingmy ownprofitbut the [profit] of the many,sothat they may be saved.
Whatis [the outcome] then,brethren?Whenyou assemble,each onehasa psalm,hasa teaching,hasa revelation,hasa tongue,hasan interpretation.Let all thingsbe donefor edification.
For evenifI boastsomewhatfurtheraboutour authority,whichthe Lordgavefor buildingyou up and not for destroyingyou, I will not be put to shame,
As the truthof Christis in me, thisboastingof minewill not be stoppedin the regionsof Achaia.
The Godand Fatherof the LordJesus,He who is blessedforever,knowsthat I am not lying.
I will most gladlyspendand be expendedfor your souls.IfI loveyou more,am I to be lovedless?
For thisreasonI am writingthese thingswhile absent,sothat when presentI [need] not useseverity,in accordancewith the authoritywhichthe Lordgaveme for buildingup and not for tearing down.
For we are not likemany,peddlingthe wordof God,but as from sincerity,but as from God,we speakin Christin the sightof God.
Are we beginningto commendourselvesagain?Ordo we need,as some,lettersof commendationto you orfrom you?
Therefore,havingthesepromises,beloved,let us cleanseourselvesfrom alldefilementof fleshand spirit,perfectingholinessin the fearof God.
Therefore,my belovedbrethrenwhom I long[to see], my joyand crown,in this waystand firmin the Lord,my beloved.
Thereforeencourageone anotherand buildup oneanother,justas you alsoare doing.
But, beloved,we are convincedof better thingsconcerningyou, and things that accompanysalvation,thoughwe are speakingin this way.