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¹ For I have decided this for myself, not to come to you again in sorrow. ² For if I cause you sorrow, then who will make me glad except the one who is caused to be sad by me? ³ And I wrote this very thing in order that when I^[a] came, I would not experience sorrow from those who ought to have made me glad, because I^[b] have confidence about you all, that my joy belongs to all of you^[c]. ⁴ For out of great distress and anguish of heart I wrote to you through many tears, not so that you may be caused to be sad, but so that you may know the love that I have especially for you.

Forgive and Comfort the Offender

⁵ But if anyone has caused sorrow, he has not caused me sorrow, but to some degree^[d]—in order not to say too much^[e]—to all of you. ⁶ This punishment by the majority is sufficient for such a person. ⁷ So then, you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest somehow this person should be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸ Therefore I urge you to confirm your love for him. ⁹ Because for this reason also I wrote, in order that I could know your proven character, whether you are obedient in everything. ¹⁰ Now to whomever you forgive anything, I also do; for indeed, whatever I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is for your sake^[f] in the presence of Christ, ¹¹ in order that we may not be exploited by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his schemes).

Triumphant Ministry in Christ

¹² Now when I^[g] arrived in Troas for the gospel of Christ and a door was opened for me by the Lord, ¹³ I did not experience rest in my spirit, because^[h] I did not find Titus my brother, but saying farewell to them, I departed for Macedonia. ¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and who reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of him through us in every place. ¹⁵ For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, ¹⁶ to those on the one hand an odor from death to death, and to those on the other hand a fragrance from life to life. And who is qualified for these things? ¹⁷ For we are not like the majority who peddle the word of God, but as from pure motives—but as from God—we speak before God in Christ.