Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹² You already know something about us. I hope that you will come to know us fully. On the day when the Lord Jesus comes you will be proud of us. So too will we be proud of you.

¹³ Because I was sure of this, I wanted to visit you before. Then you would have had a double blessing.

¹⁴ I wanted to visit you and then go to Macedonia. I wanted to visit you again when I was on my way back from Macedonia. Then you would send me on my way to Judea.

¹⁵ That was what I wanted to do. Now then, did I act as if I did not know what I wanted? When I make my plans, do you think I make them like a man of this world? Do I say `Yes' when I mean to say `No'?

¹⁶ As surely as God is true, our message to you was not `Yes' and `No' at the same time.

¹⁷ Silvanus and Timothy and I told you about the Son of God, Jesus Christ. His word was not `Yes' and `No.' It was always `Yes.'

¹⁸ To the many promises God has made Christ can say `Yes'. He can make them all come true. So then, it is because of Christ that we can say, `Yes, it is so!' when we praise God.

¹⁹ It is God who makes us stand strong with you in Christ. God has chosen us and put his mark on us.