2 Corinthians

Since we have such promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from all impurity of body and spirit, and finish the work of sanctification in reverence for God.

Reaction of the Corinthians and Paul

Welcome us in your hearts! We have injured no one. We have harmed no one, and we have cheated no one.

I do not say this to condemn you: I have only said that you are in our hearts so we can live together and die together.

I have great confidence in you and I am truly proud of you. I feel very encouraged, and my joy overflows despite all this bitterness.

Know that when I came to Macedonia, I had no rest at all, but I was plagued with all kinds of difficulties: conflict outside and internal fears.

But God, who encourages the humble, comforted me with the arrival of Titus.

Not only because of his presence, but also because you had welcomed him very warmly. He told me about your deep love for me; you were touched by what happened. You cared about me, and that made me rejoice even more.

If my letter caused you pain, I do not regret it. Maybe I did regret it, because I saw that the letter made you sad for a moment, but now I rejoice,

not because of your sadness, but because that sadness led you to repentance. This was a sadness from God so that no harm would come to you because of me.

Sadness from God results in sincere repentance that leads to salvation and causes no regret, but worldly grief yields death.

Observe what this sorrow from God has caused in you: what concern for me! What apologies! What indignation and fear! What a desire to see me, to make amends, and to do me justice! You have clearly proven your innocence in this matter.

In reality, I wrote to you not because of the offender or the offended, but so that you may be aware of the concern you have for me before God.

I was encouraged by this. Along with my comfort, I especially rejoice to see Titus very pleased with how you all reassured him.

I have no reason to regret praising you to him. You know I am always honest with you; likewise, my praise of you to Titus has been justified.

He now feels much more affection for you as he recalls everyone’s obedience and the respect and humility with which you welcomed him.

Really, I rejoice because I can genuinely be proud of you.