1So I made up my mind that I would not visit you again if it would bring sorrow.
2If I make you sad, then who will make me happy? Only the one I made sad.
3I wrote what I did so that when I visited, I wouldn't be saddened by those who should make me happy. I was confident in all of you, believing that you would share my joy.
4It was with a lot of trouble and heartache, and with many tears, that I wrote to you. I didn't want to make you sad, but I wanted you to know how much I love you.
5If anyone has caused sadness, he has caused it not just to me, but to some extent (so I don't overstate it) to all of you.
6For such a person, the punishment given by the majority is enough.
7So now, you should instead forgive him and comfort him. Otherwise, he might be overwhelmed by too much sorrow.
8Therefore, I urge you to show him your love again.
9I also wrote to you to test you, to see if you would obey everything I asked.
10I forgive anyone you forgive. If I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it for your sake in the presence of Christ.
11This is so Satan doesn't get the upper hand over us, because we are not unaware of his plans.
12Now when I came to Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, and the Lord opened a door for me,
13I had no peace of mind, because I didn't 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 in victory in Christ and spreads the aroma of his knowledge through us everywhere.
15For we are like a sweet fragrance of Christ offered to God, both among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
16To those who are perishing, we are a smell of death leading to more death. To those who are being saved, we are a refreshing aroma of life leading to more life. Who is capable enough for such a task?
17We are not like many people who dishonestly sell God's word. Instead, in Christ, we speak with sincerity, as from God and in his presence.