2 Corinthians 1:12-24

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Postponement of Paul’s Visit

¹² Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the world with holiness^[a] and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God—and all the more toward you.^{(A) 13} For we write you nothing other than what you can read and also understand; I hope you will understand until the end— ¹⁴ as you have already understood us in part—that on the day of the Lord Jesus we are your boast even as you are our boast.^(B)

¹⁵ Since I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a double favor;^{[b](C) 16} I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on to Judea.^{(D) 17} Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to ordinary human standards,^[c] ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? ¹⁸ As surely as God is faithful, our word to you is not^[d] “Yes and No.” ¹⁹ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not “Yes and No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.”^{(E) 20} For in him every one of God’s promises is a “Yes.” For this reason it is through him that we say the “Amen,” to the glory of God.^{(F) 21} But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us,^{(G) 22} who has put his seal on us and given^[e] us his Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.^(H)

²³ But I call on God as witness against me: it was to spare you that I did not come again to Corinth.^{(I) 24} I do not mean to imply that we lord it over your faith; rather, we are workers with you for your joy because you stand firm in faith.^(J)