1
So I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit.
2
For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?
3
And I wrote as I did, so that when I came, I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice; for I am confident about all of you, that my joy would be the joy of all of you.
4
For I wrote you out of much distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain, but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.
5
But if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but to some extent—not to exaggerate it—to all of you.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (New Revised Standard)