2 Corinthians 1:23–2:4

23 I call on God as a witness,au on my life, that it was to spare you that I did not come to Corinth.av 24 I do not mean that we lord it over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because you stand firm in youraw faith. 2 In 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 confidentax about all of you that my joy will also be yours. 4 For 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.