Study Desk

For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did regret [it] (for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season),

I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance; for you were made sorry after a godly sort, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.

For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, [a repentance] which brings no regret: but the sorrow of the world works death.

For look, this very same thing, that you were made sorry after a godly sort, what earnest care it worked in you, yes what clearing of yourselves, yes what indignation, yes what fear, yes what longing, yes what zeal, yes what avenging! In everything you approved yourselves to be pure in the matter.

So although I wrote to you, I did not [write] for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made manifest to you in the sight of God.

Therefore we have been comforted: And in our comfort we joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

For if in anything I have gloried to him on your behalf, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.

For according to their power, I bear witness, yes and beyond their power, [they gave] of their own accord,

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

And in this I give [my] judgment: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will.

For if the readiness is there, [it is] acceptable according to as [a man] has, not according to as [he] has not.

For not that others may be eased [and] you distressed; but by equality:

your abundance at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become for your want; that there may be equality:

But thanks be to God, who put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth to you of his own accord.

for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

For as concerning the service to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past; and your zeal has stirred up very many of them.

[Let] each man [do] according to as he has purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

And he that supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness: