⁸ We do not want you to be uninformed,^(A) brothers and sisters,^[a] about the troubles we experienced^(B) in the province of Asia.^(C) We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. ⁹ Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God,^(D) who raises the dead.^{(E) 10} He has delivered us from such a deadly peril,^(F) and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope^(G) that he will continue to deliver us, ¹¹ as you help us by your prayers.^(H) Then many will give thanks^(I) on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Paul’s Change of Plans

¹² Now this is our boast: Our conscience^(J) testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity^[b](K) and godly sincerity.^(L) We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom^(M) but on God’s grace. ¹³ For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, ¹⁴ as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.^(N)

¹⁵ Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you^(O) first so that you might benefit twice.^{(P) 16} I wanted to visit you on my way^(Q) to Macedonia^(R) and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way^(S) to Judea.^{(T) 17} Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner^(U) so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?

¹⁸ But as surely as God is faithful,^(V) our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” ¹⁹ For the Son of God,^(W) Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas^[c](X) and Timothy^(Y)—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always^(Z) been “Yes.” ²⁰ For no matter how many promises^(AA) God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen”^(AB) is spoken by us to the glory of God.^{(AC) 21} Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm^(AD) in Christ. He anointed^(AE) us, ²² set his seal^(AF) of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.^(AG)

The Authority of Jesus Questioned^(A)

²⁷ They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. ²⁸ “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”

²⁹ Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ³⁰ John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”

³¹ They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ ³² But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)^(B)

³³ So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”