2 For I made up my mind ^(A)not to make another painful visit to you. ² For ^(B)if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? ³ And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, ^(C)for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. ⁴ For ^(D)I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

²¹ What do you wish? ^(A)Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?