2 Corinthians 2 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

So I made up my mind that I wouldn't come to you again with another painful visit.

Because if I cause you pain, then who's left to make me glad? Only you — the very people I've hurt.

That's exactly why I wrote to you the way I did — so that when I do come, I won't be made sad by the very people who should be making me happy. I'm confident that all of you feel the same way: my joy is your joy too.

I wrote to you with a heavy heart, through many tears — not to make you feel bad, but so you'd know just how deeply I care about you.

Now, if someone caused all this pain, he didn't just hurt me — he hurt all of you to some degree. I don't want to be too harsh about it.

The punishment the majority of you imposed on him is enough.

So now you should do the opposite — forgive him and encourage him. Otherwise he might drown in overwhelming grief.

So I'm urging you: reaffirm your care for him.

This was actually why I wrote to you in the first place — to test you and see whether you'd follow through on everything.

When you forgive someone, I do too. And whatever I've forgiven — if there was anything to forgive — I did it for your sake, with The One watching.

We can't let Satan outmaneuver us — we know exactly what he's up to.

Now, when I came to Troas to share the good news about The One, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me there.

But I had no peace of mind because I couldn't find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and headed on to Macedonia.

But thank God! He always leads us in a victory parade in The One, and through us he spreads the fragrance of knowing him everywhere we go.

Because to God, we are the aroma of The One — both among those being rescued and those headed for destruction.

To one group, we smell like death leading to death. To the other, we smell like life leading to life. And who is really up for a task like that?

Unlike so many others, we're not hawking God's message for profit. No — we speak with complete sincerity, as people sent by God, standing in God's presence, united with The One.