New International Version | New International Version |
1So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. | 1So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. |
2For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? | 2For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? |
3I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. | 3I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. |
4For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. | 4For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. |
5If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent--not to put it too severely. | 5If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent--not to put it too severely. |
6The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. | 6The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. |
7Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. | 7Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. |
8I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. | 8I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. |
9Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. | 9Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. |
10Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, | 10Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, |
11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. | 11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. |
12Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, | 12Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, |
13I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia. | 13I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia. |
14But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. | 14But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. |
15For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. | 15For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. |
16To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? | 16To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? |
17Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. | 17Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. |
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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