3. Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort.
4. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.
5. We share in the terrible sufferings of Christ, but also in the wonderful comfort he gives.
6. We suffer in the hope that you will be comforted and saved. And because we are comforted, you will also be comforted, as you patiently endure suffering like ours.
7. You never disappoint us. You suffered as much as we did, and we know that you will be comforted as we were.
8. My friends, I want you to know what a hard time we had in Asia. Our sufferings were so horrible and so unbearable that death seemed certain.
9. In fact, we felt sure that we were going to die. But this made us stop trusting in ourselves and start trusting God, who raises the dead to life.
10. God saved us from the threat of death, and we are sure that he will do it again and again.
11. Please help us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks for the blessings we receive in answer to all these prayers.