[1] But I determined this for myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. [2] For if I make you sorrowful, who then will there be to make me rejoice, but the one whom I have made sorrowful? [3] I wrote concerning this matter to you, so that when I came, I would not be grieved by those in whom I ought to rejoice, having confidence in you all, that my joy is your joy. [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 more abundantly for you. [5] But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but to some extent all of you, not to put it too severely. [6] This punishment which was inflicted by many on such a man is sufficient. [7] So on the contrary, you ought to forgive him and comfort him, lest perhaps he might be swallowed up with excessive sorrow. [8] Therefore I ask you to confirm your love toward him. [9] For to this end I also wrote, so that I might know that you are proving yourselves by whether you are being obedient in all things. [10] Whomever you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if I forgave someone anything, for your sakes I forgave it in Christ, [11] lest Satan should take advantage of us. For we are not ignorant of his devices. [12] Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, [13] I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother. So taking my leave of them, I went from there into Macedonia. [14] Now thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ and through us reveals the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. [15] For we are to God a sweet fragrance of Christ among those who are saved and among those who perish. [16] To the one we are the fragrance of death, which brings death, and to the other the fragrance of life, which brings life. Who is sufficient for these things? [17] For we are not as many are who peddle the word of God. Instead, being sent by God, we sincerely speak in Christ in the sight of God.
