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