Introduction

1 To the church of God in Corinth, and to all Christ’s people throughout Greece, from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God, and from Timothy, who is also a follower. 2 May God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and give you peace.Titleless Section Break

3 Blessed is the God and Father of Jesus Christ our Lord, the all-merciful Father, the God ever ready to console, 4 who consoles us in all our troubles, so that we may be able to console those who are in any trouble with the consolation that we ourselves receive from him. 5 It is true that we have our full share of the sufferings of the Christ, but through the Christ we have also our full share of consolation. 6 If we meet with trouble, it is for the sake of your consolation and salvation; and, if we find consolation, it is for the sake of the consolation that you will experience when you are called to endure the sufferings that we ourselves are enduring; 7 and our hope for you remains unshaken. We know that, as you are sharing our sufferings, you will also share our consolation. 8 We want you, friends, to know that, in the troubles which befell us in Roman Asia, we were burdened altogether beyond our strength, so much so that we even despaired of life. 9 Indeed, we had the presentiment that we must die, so that we might rely, not on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead. 10 And from so imminent a death God delivered us, and will deliver us again; for in him we have placed our hopes of future deliverance, while you, also, help us by your prayers. 11 And then many lips will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us in answer to many prayers.