²³ But I call God for a witness to my soul, that I didn’t come to Corinth to spare you. ²⁴ We don’t control your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.

2 But I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow. ² For if I make you grieve, then who will make me glad but he who is made to grieve by me? ³ And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you. ⁴ For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made to grieve, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.