6 If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer.

7 Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement. [4]

8 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction that came to us in the province of Asia; [5] we were utterly weighed down beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life. [AD]