1

So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.

2

For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved?

3

I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed by

those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you,

that you would all share my joy.

4

For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears,

not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

 

Forgiveness for the Sinner

5

If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me

as he has grieved all of you, to some extent--not to put it too severely.

6

The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him.

7

Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him,

so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

8

I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

9

The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test

and be obedient in everything.

10

If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven--

if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,

11

in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

 

Ministers of the New Covenant

12

Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ

and found that the Lord had opened a door for me,

13

I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there.

So I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia.

14

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ

and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

15

For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those

who are being saved and those who are perishing.

16

To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.

And who is equal to such a task?

17

Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.

On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity,

like men sent from God.