7. So our hope in you is never shaken; we know that just as you share in our sufferings, you also share in the help we receive.
8. We want to remind you, brothers and sisters, of the trouble we had in the province of Asia. The burdens laid upon us were so great and so heavy that we gave up all hope of staying alive.
9. We felt that the death sentence had been passed on us. But this happened so that we should rely, not on ourselves, but only on God, who raises the dead.
10. From such terrible dangers of death he saved us, and will save us; and we have placed our hope in him that he will save us again,
11. as you help us by means of your prayers for us. So it will be that the many prayers for us will be answered, and God will bless us; and many will raise their voices to him in thanksgiving for us.
12. We are proud that our conscience assures us that our lives in this world, and especially our relations with you, have been ruled by God-given frankness and sincerity, by the power of God's grace, and not by human wisdom.
15. I was so sure of all this that I made plans at first to visit you, in order that you might be blessed twice.