3 All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion* and God of all encouragement, 4 who encourages us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in whatever affliction, by means of the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.* 5 Because just as the sufferings of the Christ flow over into us,* so also our encouraging overflows, through Christ. 6 Now then, if we are afflicted, it is for the sake of your encouragement and deliverance, that are effective for enduring the same sufferings that we also are suffering 7 (yes, our hope concerning you is steadfast);* if we are encouraged, it also is for the sake of your encouragement and deliverance, since we know that you will share in the encouragement just as you do in the sufferings.*