⁹ As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but ^(A)because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

⁷ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who ^(A)repents than over ninety-nine ^(B)righteous persons who need no repentance.

⁸ For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. ⁹ For we are glad when ^(A)we are weak and you are strong. Your ^(B)restoration is what we pray for. ¹⁰ For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come ^(C)I may not have to be ^(D)severe in my use of ^(E)the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

¹⁰ For ^(A)godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas ^(B)worldly grief produces death. ¹¹ For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, ^(C)what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.

^21 (A)testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of ^(B)repentance toward God and of ^(C)faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.^[a]

⁸ For even if I boast a little too much of ^(A)our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. ⁹ I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. ¹⁰ For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but ^(B)his bodily presence is weak, and ^(C)his speech of no account.”