⁵ For when we came into Macedonia,^(A) we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn^(B)—conflicts on the outside, fears within.^(C)

¹³ I still had no peace of mind,^(A) because I did not find my brother Titus^(B) there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.^(C)

⁵ For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,^(A) I sent to find out about your faith.^(B) I was afraid that in some way the tempter^(C) had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.^(D)

¹⁹ My dear children,^(A) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^{(B) 20} how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

¹¹ I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.^(A)

²⁰ For I am afraid that when I come^(A) I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be.^(B) I fear that there may be discord,^(C) jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,^(D) slander,^(E) gossip,^(F) arrogance^(G) and disorder.^{(H) 21} I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved^(I) over many who have sinned earlier^(J) and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery^(K) in which they have indulged.

²³ Are they servants of Christ?^(A) (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,^(B) been in prison more frequently,^(C) been flogged more severely,^(D) and been exposed to death again and again.^{(E) 24} Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes^(F) minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods,^(G) once I was pelted with stones,^(H) three times I was shipwrecked,^(I) I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews,^(J) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,^(K) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.^{(L) 27} I have labored and toiled^(M) and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;^(N) I have been cold and naked. ²⁸ Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.^{(O) 29} Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?^(P) Who is led into sin,^(Q) and I do not inwardly burn?

³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast^(R) of the things that show my weakness.^(S)

⁸ We are hard pressed on every side,^(A) but not crushed; perplexed,^(B) but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted,^(C) but not abandoned;^(D) struck down, but not destroyed.^{(E) 10} We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,^(F) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.^{(G) 11} For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,^(H) so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.^(I)