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¹ In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit.^{(F1) 2} For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me?^{(F1) 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^(C1) 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.

A Sinner Forgiven

⁵ If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree—not to exaggerate^(C1)—to all of you. ⁶ This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person. ⁷ As a result, you should instead forgive^(C1) 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^(C1) to see if you are obedient^(C2) 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^(C1) of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.

A Trip to Macedonia

¹² When I came to Troas^(C1) to preach the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord opened a door^(C2) for me, ¹³ I had no rest^(C1) in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus.^(C2) Instead, I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia.^(C3)

A Ministry of Life or Death

¹⁴ But thanks be to God,^(C1) who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place.^{(C2) 15} For to God we are the fragrance^(C1) of Christ among those who are being saved^(C2) and among those who are perishing.^{(C3) 16} To some we are an aroma of death^(C1) leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life^(C2) leading to life. Who is adequate for these things? ¹⁷ For we do not market the word of God^(C1) for profit like so many.^(F1) On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.