1So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit.

2For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved.

3That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful.

4I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.

9I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions.

10When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,

11so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

12When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.

13But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.

17You see, we are not like the many hucksters2:17 Some manuscripts read the rest of the hucksters. who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.