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

Reaffirm Your Love

2 But I decided this ^[a]for my own sake, that I ^(F)would not come to you in sorrow again. ² For if I ^(G)cause you sorrow, who then will be the one making me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? ³ 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 was 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 especially for you.