⁸ We do not want you to be uninformed,^(A) brothers and sisters,^[a] about the troubles we experienced^(B) in the province of Asia.^(C) We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. ⁹ Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God,^(D) who raises the dead.^{(E) 10} He has delivered us from such a deadly peril,^(F) and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope^(G) that he will continue to deliver us, ¹¹ as you help us by your prayers.^(H) Then many will give thanks^(I) on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

¹⁵ Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you^(A) first so that you might benefit twice.^{(B) 16} I wanted to visit you on my way^(C) to Macedonia^(D) and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way^(E) to Judea.^{(F) 17} Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner^(G) so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?

¹⁸ But as surely as God is faithful,^(H) our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” ¹⁹ For the Son of God,^(I) Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas^[a](J) and Timothy^(K)—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always^(L) been “Yes.” ²⁰ For no matter how many promises^(M) God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen”^(N) is spoken by us to the glory of God.^(O)