2 Corinthians 2
1 For I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow.
That's why I decided that I would avoid another sad visit with you.
2 For if I make you sorry, then who will make me glad but he who is made sorry by me?
For if I make you sad, who will be there to make me happy? It won't be those I've made sad!
3 And I wrote this very thing, so that, when I came, I would not have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you.
That's why I wrote what I did, so that I wouldn't be sad over those who should make me happy. I was so sure that all of you would share in my happiness.
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.
I was crying many tears when I wrote to you, in great anguish and with a heavy heart—not to make you sad, but so you would know how much love I have 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.
Not to put it too strongly, but the person caused more pain to all of you than to me.
6 Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many;
This person suffered enough punishment from the majority of you,
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.
so now you should forgive him and be kind to him. Otherwise he may sink into despair.
8 Therefore I urge you to confirm your love toward him.
So I urge you to publicly affirm your love towards him.
9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.
That's why I wrote: so I could discoverer your true character and whether you're doing everything you were told to do.
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,
Anyone you forgive, I forgive too. What I have forgiven, whatever it may be, I have forgiven before Christ for your benefit.
11 that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
In this way Satan will not be able to take us in, because we know the tricks he thinks up.
12 Now when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord,
Now when I arrived in Troas to spread the good news of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.
13 I had no relief for my spirit, because I did not find Titus, my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.
But my mind wasn't at peace because I couldn't find my brother Titus. So I said goodbye and went over to Macedonia.
14 Now 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.
But praise be to God, who always leads us in a triumphal procession in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet scent of his knowledge wherever we go!
15 For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who perish;
We are like a fragrance of Christ to God, rising up from among those who are being saved as well as those who are dying.
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?
To those who are dying it is the smell of decay, while to those who are being saved it is the scent of life! But who is up to such an assignment?
17 For we are not, like so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.
We are not like the majority who trade in the word of God for profit. Quite the opposite: we are sincere in sharing the word of God in Christ, knowing God is watching us.
