Parallel Bible results for "2 corinthians 2"

2 Corinthians 2

New Living Translation NLT

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

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

3 That 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.

4 I 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.

5 I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me.

6 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough.

7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement.

8 So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.

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

10 When 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,

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

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

13 But 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.

14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.

15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.

16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

17 You see, we are not like the many 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.

Common English Bible CEB

1 So I decided that, for my own sake, I wouldn't visit you again while I was upset.

2 If I make you sad, who will be there to make me glad when you are sad because of me?

3 That's why I wrote this very thing to you, so that when I came I wouldn't be made sad by the ones who ought to make me happy. I have confidence in you, that my happiness means your happiness.

4 I wrote to you in tears, with a very troubled and anxious heart. I didn't write to make you sad but so you would know the overwhelming love that I have for you.

5 But if someone has made anyone sad, that person hasn't hurt me but all of you to some degree (not to exaggerate).

6 The punishment handed out by the majority is enough for this person.

7 This is why you should try your best to forgive and to comfort this person now instead, so that this person isn't overwhelmed by too much sorrow.

8 So I encourage you to show your love for this person.

9 This is another reason why I wrote you. I wanted to test you and see if you are obedient in everything.

10 If you forgive anyone for anything, I do too. And whatever I've forgiven (if I've forgiven anything), I did it for you in the presence of Christ.

11 This is so that we won't be taken advantage of by Satan, because we are well aware of his schemes.

12 When I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, the Lord gave me an opportunity to preach.

13 But I was worried because I couldn't find my brother Titus there. So I said good-bye to them and went on to Macedonia.

14 But thank God, who is always leading us around through Christ as if we were in a parade. He releases the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere through us.

15 We smell like the aroma of Christ's offering to God, both to those who are being saved and to those who are on the road to destruction.

16 We smell like a contagious dead person to those who are dying, but we smell like the fountain of life to those who are being saved. Who is qualified for this kind of ministry?

17 We aren't like so many people who hustle the word of God to make a profit. We are speaking through Christ in the presence of God, as those who are sincere and as those who are sent from God.