⁸ Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter,^(A) I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—

God Promises Deliverance

²² Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people?^(A) Is this why you sent me? ²³ Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued^(B) your people at all.”

⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits^(A) and live!^{(B) 10} They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.^{(C) 11} No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace^(D) for those who have been trained by it.

¹¹ See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern,^(A) what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

⁶ But God, who comforts the downcast,^(A) comforted us by the coming of Titus,^(B)

² For if I grieve you,^(A) who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? ³ I wrote as I did,^(B) so that when I came I would not be distressed^(C) by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence^(D) in all of you, that you would all share my joy. ⁴ For I wrote you^(E) out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

Forgiveness for the Offender

⁵ If anyone has caused grief,^(F) he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. ⁶ The punishment^(G) inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. ⁷ Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him,^(H) so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸ I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. ⁹ Another reason I wrote you^(I) was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.^{(J) 10} Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, ¹¹ in order that Satan^(K) might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.^(L)

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”^(A) He said, “Lord, you know all things;^(B) you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.^(C)

⁶ Rather, you are filled with grief^(A) because I have said these things.