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2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4
New International Version
2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4
New International Version
23 I call God as my witness(A)—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you(B) that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over(C) your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.(D) 2 1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.(E) 2 For if I grieve you,(F) who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did,(G) so that when I came I would not be distressed(H) by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence(I) in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4 For I wrote you(J) 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.
2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4
King James Version
2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4
King James Version
23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
2 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4
New King James Version
2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4
New King James Version
23 Moreover (A)I call God as witness against my soul, (B)that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not (C)that we [a]have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for (D)by faith you stand.
Paul Urges Forgiveness
2 But I determined this within myself, (E)that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 For if I make you (F)sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
Forgive the Offender
3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, (G)I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, (H)having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much [b]affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, (I)not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 1:24 rule
- 2 Corinthians 2:4 tribulation
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.