²³ But I call on God as witness against me: it was to spare you that I did not come again to Corinth.^{(A) 24} I do not mean to imply that we lord it over your faith; rather, we are workers with you for your joy because you stand firm in faith.^(B) 2 ¹ So I made up my mind not to make another visit that causes you grief.^{(C) 2} For if I cause you grief, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have grieved? ³ And I wrote as I did, so that when I came, I might not suffer grief from those who should have made me rejoice, for I am confident about all of you, that my joy would be the joy of all of you.^{(D) 4} For I wrote you out of much distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you grief but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.