For our boast is this
— our conscience is witness-
that in simplicity and purity of God
–not in earthly wisdom
–but in the grace of God
we conducted ourselves in the world
-and all the more towards you.

For we do not write to you
anything that you cannot read
or recognise.
So I hope that you will recognise (us) completely
as you have recognised us partly
that we are your boast
-just so you also are ours
on the day of the Lord Jesus.

Grant, Lord,
that we may hold to you without parting,
worship you without wearying,
serve you without failing;
faithfully seek you,
happily find you,
and forever possess you,
the only God,blessed now and for ever.
Amen

St Anselm

For we do not want you to be ignorant,
brothers/sisters,
about our affliction
which happened in Asia;
that we were burdened
excessively, beyond (our) strength
so that we despaired
even of life.
But we in ourselves,
have received the sentence of death
so that we might not rely on ourselves
but upon God
who raises the dead
who rescued us
from so great a death
and he will deliver (us)
in whom we have hoped
that he will yet deliver (us)
– you also helping us in prayer-
so that thanksgiving might be made for us
by many (faces)
for the gift
given to us through many.

Thank you, dear Jesus,
for all you have given me,
for all you have taken away from me,
for all you have left me.

Thomas More (c.1478-1535)

Blessed be the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of consolation and
God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our afflictions,
so that we might be able to comfort
those in all afflictions
through the comfort
which we ourselves received
from God.

For as the sufferings of the Christ
overflow towards us
so through Christ
our comfort overflows (to you).
So either we are being afflicted,
for your comforting and salvation
or if we are comforted,
(it is) for your comforting
which produces endurance
of the same suffering
which we also suffer.

And our hope is steadfast
for you,
knowing that as you are partners in suffering
so also comfort.

Grant, Lord,
that we may hold to you without parting,
worship you without wearying,
serve you without failing;
faithfully seek you,
happily find you,
and forever possess you,
the only God,blessed now and for ever.
Amen

St Anselm

Paul,
an apostle of Christ Jesus,
through the will of God
and
Timothy, the brother
to
the church of God,
which is in Corinth
with all the ‘holy ones’
who are in the whole of Achaia-

grace to you, and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
stay beside me to defend me,
within me to guide me,
before me to lead me,
and above me to bless me,
that with you and in you,
I may live, and move and have my being,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

(unknown)