1. For I have decided this for myself, not to come to you again in sorrow.
2. For if I cause you sorrow, then who will make me glad except the one who is caused to be sad by me?
3. And I wrote this very thing in order that when I came, I would not experience sorrow from those who ought to have made me glad, because I have confidence about you all, that my joy belongs to all of you.
4. For out of great distress and anguish of heart I wrote to you through many tears, not so that you may be caused to be sad, but so that you may know the love that I have especially for you.
5. But if anyone has caused sorrow, he has not caused me sorrow, but to some degree—in order not to say too much—to all of you.
6. This punishment by the majority is sufficient for such a person.
7. So then, you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest somehow this person should be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
8. Therefore I urge you to confirm your love for him.
9. Because for this reason also I wrote, in order that I could know your proven character, whether you are obedient in everything.