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.

2 But I determined this ^[b]for my own sake, that I ^(F)would not come to you again in sorrow. ² For if I ^(G)cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful? ³ 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. ⁴ 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.