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these things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might, through the thanksgiving of many saints, redound to the glory of God.

16. On this account we faint not, but if our outer man perishes, our inner man (the mind getting vigour by the other's decay) is daily renewed. 17. For our present light affliction is working out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 18. While we regard not the things which are visible but those which are invisible; for the things which are visible are temporary, but those which are invisible are eternal.

CHAP. V.

OF THE ASSURED HOPE OF GLORY.

FOR we know, that when our earthly house (this mortal body) which is a tent, is dissolved, (by death), we have a building of God, (John xiv. 2.) a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2. For in this body we groan (under a load of trouble), earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with (immortal glory) to possess our heavenly habitation. 3. Since being so clothed, (like Adam at first), we shall not be found naked, (or stript of good, and exposed to evil). 4. For we in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened (with the cross); yet we would not be unclothed, (or stript of the body), but rather clothed upon, that what is earthly and mortal, may become heavenly and immortal.

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5. Now he who hath prepared us for this very purpose, is God, who hath also given us the earnest of his Spirit, (as a foretaste).

6. Therefore, as we are always courageous (to die), knowing, that while we are sojourning in the body, we are, (as it were) in a state of exile from the Lord. 7. For we live by the faith (of future glory, Heb. xi. 1.) not by the sight thereof. 8.

We are courageous (to meet death), being desirous rather to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord. 9. Therefore we make it our highest aim, whether present (in the body), or absent (from it), to be well pleasing to him. 10. For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive according to what he hath done in his body, whether it be good or evil.

11. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest to God; and I hope also, to your consciences. 12. For we recommend not ourselves again to you, but are giving you occasion of boasting concerning us, that ye may have something to answer those who glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13. For if we be transported beyond ourselves, it is to God; or if we be sober, it is for your sakes. 14. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead, (or under condemnation). 15. And that he died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live to themselves, but to him, (to please him), who died for them, and rose again.

16. Wherefore, henceforth, we regard no man according to the flesh, (in a worldly manner): yea, though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him so no

more.

17. Therefore, if any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18. And all things are of God, who bath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20. Now, therefore, we are ambassadors for

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Christ, so that God is beseeching you by us; we in Christ's stead pray you, be ye reconciled to God. 21. For he made him who had no sin, to be a sinoffering for us; that we might be accepted in him, by the righteousness (which the law) of God requires.

CHAP. VI.

PAUL'S FAITHFULNESS IN THE MINISTRY.

WE, therefore, as workers together with him, beseech you that ye receive not the gospel of the grace of God in vain. 2. For he saith, I have heard thee in a time acceptable, and in the day of salvation I succoured thee, (Isaiah xlix. 8.); behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3. Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4. But in all things recommending ourselves as the ministers of God, by much patience in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5. In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 6. By purity, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by gentleness, by the comforts of the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned, 7. By the word of truth, by the power of God, with the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, (in joy and sorrow, Ephes. vi. 14, &c.) 8. Thro' honour and dishonour, thro' evil report and good report; as seducers, and yet true; 9. As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, yet, behold, we live; as chastened, yet not killed; 10. As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many (with heavenly treasures of grace); as having nothing, and yet possessing all things, (as they are for our good, Rom. viii. 28. 1. Cor. iii. 22.)

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11. O ye Corinthians! our mouth is open to you, our heart is enlarged (with love to you). 12. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened

in your own bowels of affection for us. 13. Now as a recompence in the same affection, I speak as to my children, be ye also enlarged. 14. Be ye not unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness, and what communion hath light with darkness? 15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath a believer with an infidel? 16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are God's living temple; as God hath said I will dwell among them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17. Therefore come out from among them, and be separate, saith the Lord; touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you; 18. And I will be a father to you, and ye shall be to me for sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

CHAP. VII.

PAUL EXHORTETH TO PURITY OF LIFE.

HAVING, therefore, these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit; perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2. Receive us; we have injured no man in his person, we have corrupted no man in his morals, we have defrauded no man. 3. I speak not this to condemn you (of infidelity and ingratitude); for I told you before, that ye are in our hearts to live and die with you.

4. Great is my freedom of speech to you, and great is my glorying concerning you; hereby I am filled with consolation, yea, I exceedingly abound in joy in all our affliction. 5. For when we came to Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side, without were oppositions, within were fears for you. 6. But God, who comforteth those that are brought low, comforted us

by the coming of Titus; 7. And not merely by his coming, but with the consolation wherewith he was comforted by you, when he told us of your earnest desire (for a reform), of your grief (for what was wrong), and your zealous affection for me; so that I rejoiced the more. 8. For tho' I grieved you in the epistle, I do not repent (of it), however sorry I was before; tho' I find that this epistle grieved you only for a short time. 9. Now, I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, so ye received no damage by us. 10. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be regretted: but the world's sorrow worketh death. 11. For, lo, in this same thing, that ye sorrowed out of a regard to God, what carefulness it wrought in you, (for reformation), yea, what apologizing for yourselves, yea, what indignation (at evil), yea, what fear (of falling into it), yea, what earnest desire (of good), yea, what zeal (for it), yea, what revenge (against sin)! Upon the whole, you have proved yourselves to be pure in this matter.

12. Therefore, what I wrote to you, was not on his account who did the injury, or his who had received it, but that our care for you before God might appear to you. 13. Therefore we were comforted in your consolation; and we rejoiced exceedingly the more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. 14. For if I gloried any thing of you to him, I am not ashamed; but as we speak all things to you in truth, even so our boasting concerning you, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. 15. And his inward af fection is more abundant to you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how ye received him with fear and trembling, (lest you should grieve him.) 16. I rejoice, therefore, that I have confidence in you in all things.

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