2 Corinthians 2

1So I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.

2If I make you sad, who will cheer me up? Only you can make me glad, but I made you grieve!

3I wrote that difficult letter to avoid a painful visit. When I visit, you should bring me great joy, not sadness! I was confident that all of you would share my happiness.

4I wrote to you out of great trouble and pain in my heart, with many tears, not to make you sad, but to let you know how much I love you.

5Suppose that one man caused deep sorrow. He did not hurt just me; he hurt all of you!

6The punishment the church gave him was severe enough.

7Now you must turn around and forgive him! Comfort him so excessive sorrow does not completely crush him.

8I beg you to openly reaffirm your love for him!

9I wrote to test you and to see whether you would obey in everything.

10Whenever you forgive that man, I forgive him too! I forgive him in the presence of Christ for your benefit.

11We must do this so Satan does not outsmart us! We know the devil's sneaky plans and evil schemes.

12When I went to Troas to preach the good news of Christ, and the Lord opened a door for me there,

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.

14Praise God! In Christ, He always leads us in victory! Everywhere we travel, God uses us to spread the sweet knowledge of Him.

15We are like a sweet-smelling incense offering of Christ to God.

16To those heading for destruction, we smell like rot and death! To those being saved, we smell like fresh, life-giving air! Who is truly qualified for such a high calling?

17Unlike so many, we do not sell the word of God for profit. Instead, we speak in Christ before God with sincerity, like people sent from God.