You are our letter,writtenin our hearts,knownand readby allmen;
First,I thankmy GodthroughJesusChristfor you all,becauseyour faithis being proclaimedthroughoutthe wholeworld.
Accordingto the graceof Godwhich was givento me, likea wisemaster builderI laida foundation,and anotheris buildingon it. But each manmust be carefulhowhe buildson it.
Why?BecauseI do not loveyou? Godknows[I do]!
I will most gladlyspendand be expendedfor your souls.IfI loveyou more,am I to be lovedless?
Are we beginningto commendourselvesagain?Ordo we need,as some,lettersof commendationto you orfrom you?
I do not speakto condemnyou, for I have said beforethat you are in our heartsto die togetherand to live together.
For it is onlyrightfor me to feelthis wayaboutyou all,becauseI haveyou in my heart,since bothin my imprisonmentand in the defenseand confirmationof the gospel,you allare partakersof gracewith me.
For the wordof the Lordhas sounded forthfrom you, not onlyin Macedoniaand Achaia,but also in everyplaceyour faithtowardGodhas gone forth,sothat we havenoneedto sayanything.
