| Christian Standard Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit. | 1In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit. |
| 2For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me? | 2For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me? |
| 3I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn't have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident about all of you that my joy will also be yours. | 3I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn't have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident about all of you that my joy will also be yours. |
| 4For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart--not to cause you pain, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you. | 4For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart--not that you should be hurt, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you. |
| 5If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree--not to exaggerate--to all of you. | 5If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree--not to exaggerate--to all of you. |
| 6This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person. | 6The punishment inflicted by the majority is sufficient for that person. |
| 7As a result, you should instead forgive and comfort him. Otherwise, he may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. | 7As a result, you should instead forgive and comfort him. Otherwise, this one may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. |
| 8Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. | 8Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. |
| 9I wrote for this purpose: to test your character to see if you are obedient in everything. | 9I wrote for this purpose: to test your character to see if you are obedient in everything. |
| 10Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven--if I have forgiven anything--it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ, | 10If you forgive anyone, I do too. For what I have forgiven--if I have forgiven anything--it is for you in the presence of Christ. |
| 11so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes. | 11I have done this so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes. |
| 12When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord opened a door for me, | 12When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, the Lord opened a door for me. |
| 13I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus. Instead, I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia. | 13I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus, but I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia. |
| 14But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ's triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place. | 14But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. |
| 15For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. | 15For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. |
| 16To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things? | 16To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. And who is competent for this? |
| 17For we do not market the word of God for profit like so many. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God. | 17For we are not like the many who market God's message for profit. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God. |
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