2Corinthians  ◦   Chapter 2

1Therefore, I decided not to make another emotionally stressful visit to you;2for if I come and cause you discomfort, how will you be able to cheer me up?3My letter was written in order to avoid conflict when I came, so that we could instead enjoy each other's company. I had confidence that you would prefer to share joyful fellowship rather than deal with problems,4so I wrote to you with a heavy heart, anguishing over you–not to cause pain, but for your eternal wellbeing–so you would know the depth of my love for you.

5As for the one whose struggles caused these problems, he has not injured me but has injured himself and perhaps some of you, but the injury to you was not as severe as to himself.6The therapeutic intervention chosen by the majority is appropriate for him.7Now, be sure he knows your forgiveness and experiences your encouragement and comfort so that he will not despair or give up.8I urge you to show him your love!9My letter was to teach you how to intervene therapeutically so that you would follow God's healing principles in everything.10When you forgive someone, know that I also have forgiven him. And what I have forgiven, if there actually was anything to forgive, I have forgiven as Christ forgives–freely, as a witness to you–11in order that Satan might not trick us into holding grudges and thereby infect our hearts with bitterness, for we are well aware of his malicious schemes.

12When I went to Troas to preach the good news about God as revealed in Christ, and I discovered that the Lord had opened a door for me,13I was not at peace, because my dear brother Titus was not there with news about you; so I said my goodbyes and went to Macedonia.

14But thanks be to God, who always leads us like a victorious parade to reveal the beauty of being in union with Christ and thus spread the loving fragrance of his character, methods and principles everywhere we go.15For in God's plan, we are like the incense from the sanctuary–the aroma of Christ–to those who are being healed as well as to those who are dying.16Those who refuse the Remedy and are dying find the scent of Christ offensive, while to those who have partaken of the Remedy, it is the smell of victory, the aroma of transformation, and the balm of life. And who is capable of such a task?17Only those who accept the Remedy freely and share it freely, not seeking to peddle God's word for selfish profit. The Remedy Christ procured we have received straight from God, and we share it freely, in all sincerity, as messengers sent from God.