15 In this confidence I intended at first to (A)come to you, so that you might [a]twice receive a [b](B)blessing; 16 [c]that is, to (C)pass [d]your way into (D)Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be (E)helped on my journey to Judea. 17 Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I decide, do I decide (F)according to the flesh, so that with me there will be [e]yes, yes and no, no at the same time? 18 But as (G)God is faithful, (H)our word to you is not yes and no. 19 For (I)the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and (J)Silvanus and (K)Timothy—was not yes and no, but has been yes (L)in Him. 20 For (M)as many as the promises of God are, (N)in Him they are yes; therefore through Him also is (O)our Amen to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who (P)establishes us with you in Christ and (Q)anointed us is God, 22 who also (R)sealed us and (S)gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a [f]pledge.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:15 Lit have a second grace
  2. 2 Corinthians 1:15 One early ms joy
  3. 2 Corinthians 1:16 Lit and
  4. 2 Corinthians 1:16 Lit through you into
  5. 2 Corinthians 1:17 I.e., a strong yes and no
  6. 2 Corinthians 1:22 Or first installment

Why Paul’s Visit Was Postponed

15 Because I was confident, I planned to come to you first so you might receive a double blessing. 16 I planned to leave you in order to go[a] to Macedonia, and then come back to you from Macedonia, and let you send me on to Judea.

17 When I planned this, I did not do it lightly, did I? Are my plans so fickle[b] that I can say “Yes” and “No”[c] at the same time? 18 As certainly as God is faithful, we haven’t talked to you with mixed messages like that.[d] 19 For God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah,[e] who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No.” But with him it is always “Yes.” 20 For all God’s promises are “Yes” in him. And so through him we can say “Amen,”[f] to the glory of God. 21 Now the one who makes us—and you as well—secure in union with the Messiah[g] and has anointed us is God, 22 who has placed his seal on us and has given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:16 Lit. To go through you
  2. 2 Corinthians 1:17 Lit. according to the flesh
  3. 2 Corinthians 1:17 Lit. “Yes, yes” and “No, no”
  4. 2 Corinthians 1:18 Lit. faithful, our word to you is not “Yes” and “No”
  5. 2 Corinthians 1:19 Or Christ
  6. 2 Corinthians 1:20 Lit. through him is the “Amen”
  7. 2 Corinthians 1:21 Or Christ