8. My letter pained you, but I do not repent of that now. Though it pained me before, my sorrow now is gone.
9. The pain and sorrow of the world bring death,
10. but that pain and sorrow which God sends result in a change of mind and heart which nothing again can ever make a man repent of. And so it was with you.
11. It was no ordinary pain and mortification that my letter brought you, it was a deep stirring of the divine, of the sorrow that changes us, and with that sorrow came new energy, new desire, the wish to clear yourselves of reproach and to exact justice to the full. I rejoice that you have approved yourselves holy and worthy in this trouble. And what else matters?
12. My letter and its strictures and rebuke concerned more than the individual who did the wrong, more too than the one that was wronged. It concerned your loyalty and faithfulness, and because that held good, I rejoice, and am comforted in my heart.
13. And Titus' courage and hope and joy have also been uplifted by your welcome of him.
14. I had boasted of you to him, and he found you even as I had told him,
15. and as I write, his heart, like mine, goes out to you, at the recollection of your obedience, and of the wonderful care and attention which you paid him when he was with you.
16. How I rejoice now in all this!