6 By our purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness we have shown ourselves to be God's servants — by the Holy Spirit, by our true love,
7 by our message of truth, and by the power of God. We have righteousness as our weapon, both to attack and to defend ourselves.
8 We are honoured and disgraced; we are insulted and praised. We are treated as liars, yet we speak the truth;
9 as unknown, yet we are known by all; as though we were dead, but, as you see, we live on. Although punished, we are not killed;
10 although saddened, we are always glad; we seem poor, but we make many people rich; we seem to have nothing, yet we really possess everything.
11 Dear friends in Corinth! We have spoken frankly to you; we have opened our hearts wide.
12 It is not we who have closed our hearts to you; it is you who have closed your hearts to us.