2 Corinthians 1:12-22

Holman Christian Standard Bible

A Clear Conscience

¹² For this is our confidence: The testimony^(A) of our conscience^(B) is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with God-given sincerity and purity, not by fleshly^[a] wisdom^(C) but by God’s grace.^{(D) 13} Now we are writing nothing to you other than what you can read and also understand. I hope you will understand completely— ¹⁴ as you have partially understood us—that we are your reason for pride,^(E) as you are ours,^(F) in the day of our^[b] Lord Jesus.^(G)

A Visit Postponed

¹⁵ I planned with this confidence to come to you first,^(H) so you could have a double benefit,^{[c] 16} and to go on to Macedonia^(I) with your help, then come to you again from Macedonia and be given a start by you^(J) on my journey^(K) to Judea.^{(L) 17} So when I planned this, was I irresponsible? Or what I plan, do I plan in a purely human^[d](M) way so that I say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” simultaneously? ¹⁸ As God is faithful,^(N) our message to you is not “Yes and no.” ¹⁹ For the Son of God,^(O) Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus^[e](P) and Timothy—did not become “Yes and no”; on the contrary, a final “Yes” has come in Him.^{(Q) 20} For every one of God’s promises^(R) is “Yes” in Him. Therefore, the “Amen”^(S) is also spoken through Him by us for God’s glory.^{(T) 21} Now it is God who strengthens us, with you, in Christ and has anointed^(U) us. ²² He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment^(V) in our hearts.^(W)