[1] In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit. [2] For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me? [3] I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn't have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident about all of you that my joy will also be yours. [4] For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart-not to cause you pain, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you. [5] If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree-not to exaggerate-to all of you. [6] This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person. [7] As a result, you should instead forgive and comfort him. Otherwise, he may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. [8] Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. [9] I wrote for this purpose: to test your character to see if you are obedient in everything. [10] Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven-if I have forgiven anything-it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ, [11] so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes. [12] When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord opened a door for me, [13] I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus. Instead, I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia. [14] But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ's triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place. [15] For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. [16] To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things? [17] For we do not market the word of God for profit like so many. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.
