Paul’s Joy in the Corinthians

1Therefore having these declarations, dearly let us cleanse ourselves from all defilements of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2Receive us; we injured none, we corrupted none, we took advantage of none. 3I speak not to condemnation: for I have said before, ye are in our hearts to die together, and live together. 4Much freedom of speech to me toward you; to me much boasting over you: I am filled with consolation, I superabound in joy in all your pressure.

5For also, we having come to Macedonia, our flesh had no relaxation, but pressed in everything; without conflicts, within fears. 6But God, comforting the humble, comforted us in the arrival of Titus; 7And not only in his arrival, but also in the comfort which he was comforted in you, announcing to us your anxious desire, your lamentations, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced the more. 8For if I also grieved you in the epistle, I regret not, and if I did regret: for I see that that epistle, if also for a time, grieved you. 9Now I rejoice, not that ye were grieved, but that ye were grieved to repentance: for ye were grieved according to God, that ye be injured in nothing by us. 10For grief according to God works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but grief of the world works death. 11For behold, this same that ye grieve according to God, what care it wrought in you, but defence, but indignation, but fear, but anxious desire, but zeal, but punishing! In every thing ye recommended yourselves to be holy in this affair. 12Wherefore, if I also wrote to you, not for him having been unjust, for him having suffered injustice, but that your care for us might be made manifest to you before God. 13Therefore have we been comforted in your comfort: and we rejoiced more abundantly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed from you all. 14For if I have boasted anything to him of you, I was not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, so also was our boasting over Titus the truth. 15And his bowels are more abundantly to you, remembering the obedience of you all, how with fear and tremor ye received him. 16I rejoice that I place confidence in you in everything.