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Reaffirm Your Love

Verse1So I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.

Verse2For if I grieve you, who is left to cheer me but those whom I have grieved?

Verse3I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be grieved by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy.

Verse4For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you.

Verse5Now if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me but all of you—to some degree, not to overstate it.

Verse6The punishment imposed on him by the majority is sufficient for him.

Verse7So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

Verse8Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.

Verse9My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.

Verse10If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,

Verse11in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Triumph in Christ

Verse12Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord,

Verse13I had no peace in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.

Verse14But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

Verse15For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Verse16To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?

Verse17For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.