2 Corinthians 2
1In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit.23For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me?45I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn’t have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident about all of you that my joy will also be yours.67For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart — not to cause you pain, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you.8
9If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree — not to exaggerate — to all of you.1011This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person.1213As a result, you should instead forgive and comfort him. Otherwise, he may be overwhelmed by excessive grief.1415Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.1617I wrote for this purpose: to test your character to see if you are obedient in everything.1819Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven — if I have forgiven anything — it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ,2021so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.22
23When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord opened a door for me,2425I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus. Instead, I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia.26
27But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place.2829For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.3031To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things?3233For we do not market the word of God for profit like so many. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.34