2 Corinthians 2

1But I determined this for myself, that I would not come again to you with sorrow.

1I decided for my own sake that I would not visit you again if it was only going to cause more pain.

2For if I make you sorry, who then is he that maketh me glad but he that is made sorry by me?

2For if I make you sad, who is left to make me happy except the very person I have made sad?

3And I wrote this very thing, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

3I wrote that letter specifically so that when I arrived, I wouldn't be saddened by the people who should have brought me the most joy. I felt sure that you would all share in my happiness.

4For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be made sorry, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

4When I wrote that letter, I was in great distress and my heart was aching. I cried many tears, not because I wanted to hurt you, but to let you know how deeply I love you.

5But if any hath caused sorrow, he hath caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I press not too heavily) to you all.

5If someone has caused grief, he hasn't just hurt me; he has hurt all of you to some extent—though I don't want to make it sound worse than it is.

6Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many;

6The punishment that the majority of you gave him is enough for a person like that.

7so that contrariwise ye should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his overmuch sorrow.

7Now, you should do the opposite: forgive him and comfort him so that he isn't overwhelmed by too much sorrow.

8Wherefore I beseech you to confirm your love toward him.

8So I urge you to show him that you truly love him.

9For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all things.

9I also wrote the letter to test you and see if you would be obedient in everything.

10But to whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes have I forgiven it in the presence of Christ;

10If you forgive someone, I forgive them too. Anything I have forgiven, I did for your sake in the presence of Christ.

11that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

11We do this so that Satan cannot take advantage of us, because we are well aware of his evil schemes.

12Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was opened unto me in the Lord,

12When I arrived in Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened up a great opportunity for me.

13I had no relief for my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went forth into Macedonia.

13However, I had no peace of mind because I didn't find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to the people and went on to Macedonia.

14But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place.

14But thank God! He always leads us in a victory parade because of what Christ has done. He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.

15For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish;

15To God, we are the pleasant aroma of Christ reaching both those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

16to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

16To those who are perishing, we smell like death leading to death. But to those who are being saved, we smell like life leading to life. Who is capable of such a task?

17For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.

17We aren't like so many others who trade the word of God for profit. Instead, we speak with sincerity before God in the name of Christ, knowing we are sent by God.