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23 But (A)I call God as witness [a]to my soul, that (B)to spare you I did not come again to (C)Corinth. 24 Not that we (D)lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are (E)standing firm.

But I determined this [b]for my own sake, that I (F)would not come to you again in sorrow. For if I (G)cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful? And this is the very thing I (H)wrote you, so that (I)when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having (J)confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I (K)wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have abundantly for you.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:23 Lit upon
  2. 2 Corinthians 2:1 Or as far as I am concerned

23 I call on God as my witness—I didn’t come again to Corinth because I wanted to spare you. 24 It isn’t that we are trying to control your faith, but we are working with you for your happiness, because you stand firm in your faith. So I decided that, for my own sake, I wouldn’t visit you again while I was upset. If I make you sad, who will be there to make me glad when you are sad because of me?

Paul’s former letter

That’s why I wrote this very thing to you, so that when I came I wouldn’t be made sad by the ones who ought to make me happy. I have confidence in you, that my happiness means your happiness. I wrote to you in tears, with a very troubled and anxious heart. I didn’t write to make you sad but so you would know the overwhelming love that I have for you.