2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11

2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11

²³ But I call God as witness to my soul, that it was to spare you that I did not come again to Corinth. ²⁴ Not that we domineer over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm. 

2:1 But I decided this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again. ² For if I cause you sorrow, who then will bethe one making me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? ³ This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy was the joy of you all. ⁴ For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

⁵ But if anyone has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not for me, but in some degree—not to say too much—for all of you.⁶ Sufficient for such a person is this punishment which was imposed by the majority, ⁷ so that on the other hand, you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a person might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸ Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. ⁹ For to this end I also wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. ¹⁰ But one whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did so for your sakes in the presence of Christ, ¹¹ so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.