[1] But I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in
sorrow. [2] For if I make you sorry, then who will make me glad but he who
is made sorry by me? [3] And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when
I came, I wouldn`t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having
confidence in you all, that my joy is of you all. [4] For out of much
affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that
you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so
abundantly for you. [5] But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow,
not to me, but in part (that I not press too heavily) to you all. [6]
Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the
many; [7] so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort
him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive
sorrow. [8] Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him. [9] For to
this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are
obedient in all things. [10] Now I also forgive whomever you forgive
anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one
for your sakes in the presence of Christ, [11] that no advantage may be
gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes. [12] Now
when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was opened
to me in the Lord, [13] I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn`t
find Titus, my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went forth into
Macedonia. [14] But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in
Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every
place. [15] For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are
saved, and in those who perish; [16] to the one a stench from death to
death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for
these things? [17] For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But
as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.
