8. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life:
9. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead:
10. Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
11. You also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
12. For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
13. For we write none other things unto you, than what you read or acknowledge; and I trust you shall acknowledge even to the end;
14. As also you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
15. And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that you might have a second benefit;
16. And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be sent on my way toward Judea.
17. When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
18. But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.