2 Corinthians 2:1–11

2In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit.^{B 2}For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me?^{C 3}I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn’t have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident^ax about all of you that my joy will also be yours. ⁴For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart—not to cause you pain, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you.

A SINNER FORGIVEN

⁵If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree—not to exaggerate^a—to all of you. ⁶This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person. ⁷As a result, you should instead forgive^b and comfort him. Otherwise, he may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. ⁸Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. ⁹I wrote for this purpose: to test your character^c to see if you are obedient^d in everything. ¹⁰Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ, ¹¹so that we may not be taken advantage^e of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.