 1 I determined within myself that I would not come to you again in sorrow+. 2 For if I grieve+ you, then who will make me glad, if not those who might otherwise be grieved by me? 3 I wrote this to you lest when I came, I might have sorrow from those in whom I ought to rejoice. But I have confidence in you all that my joy is in all of you also. 4 For out of much suffering+ and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears. Not so that you would be grieved, but so that you might know the love that I have for you more abundantly. 5 But if any have caused grief, it is not me that they have grieved, but in part it is all of you, so that I may not be overcharged. 6 Sufficient to such a one is this rebuke+, which has been expressed by many. 7 On the contrary, you should instead+ forgive and comfort, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to confirm your love toward them. 9 It was for this purpose also that I wrote to you, so that I might know the proof~ of you, if you are obedient in everything+. 10 To those whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if I have forgiven anything, it is for your sakes that I have forgiven it in the person of Christ. 11 We do this lest Satan should get an advantage over us. For we are not ignorant~ about his devices. 12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to proclaim+ Christ's Gospel, a door was opened to me by the Lord. 13 I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus. But upon leaving them, I went from there+ to Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ and reveals+ the savor of His knowledge through us in every place. 15 For we are to God a sweet savor of Christ in those who are being saved, and even in those who are perishing. 16 To the one, we are the savor of death to death. To the other, the savor of life to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not like many who corrupt the Word of God. But from sincerity and as from God in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.
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