1 But I determined this within myself,that I would not come again to you in sorrow.
2 For if I make yousorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
Forgive the Offender
3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came,I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy,having confidence in you all that my joy isthejoyof you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears,not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
5 Butif anyone has caused grief, he has notgrieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe.
6 This punishment whichwasinflictedby the majorityissufficient for such a man,
7 so that, on the contrary, yououghtrather to forgive and comforthim, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.
8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirmyourlove to him.
9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you areobedient in all things.
10 Now whom you forgive anything, I alsoforgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Triumph in Christ
12 Furthermore,when I came to Troas topreachChrist’s gospel, anda door was opened to me by the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.
14 Now thanksbeto God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christamong those who are being saved andamong those who are perishing.
16 To the onewearethe aroma of deathleadingto death, and to the other the aroma of lifeleadingto life. Andwhoissufficient for these things?
17 For we are not, as so many,peddling the word of God; but asof sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.