Paul’s Joy in the Corinthians

1Having, therefore, these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2Make room for us; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we defrauded no one. 3I say it not with the view to your condemnation; for I have said before that ye are in our hearts to die together and to live together. 4Great is my boldness toward you; great is my glorying on your behalf; I am filled with consolation; I overflow with joy in all our tribulation.

5For even when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief; but we were in tribulation on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 6But God, who consoleth the lowly, consoled us by the coming of Titus; 7and not by his coming only, but also by the consolation with which he was consoled over you; rehearsing to us your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced the more: 8because, even if I did make you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it; for I see that that letter made you sorry, though but for a season. 9Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that in nothing ye might receive damage from us. 10For godly sorrow works repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world works death. 11For, behold this very thing?that ye were made sorry after a godly manner?what diligence it wrought in you; yea, what defense of yourselves; yea, what indignation; yea, what fear; yea what earnest desire; yea, what zeal; yea, what avenging! In everything ye proved yourselves to be pure in the matter. 12So, although I wrote to you, it was not on account of him who did the wrong, nor of him who suffered wrong, but that your earnest care on our behalf might be manifested to you in the sight of God. 13For this cause, we have been consoled; but, in our consolation, we rejoice the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14For, if in anything I have gloried to him on your behalf, I was not made ashamed; but, as we spake all things to you in truth, so also our glorying before Titus was found to be truth. 15And his tender affections are more abundantly toward you, while he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. 16I rejoice, that in everything I have good courage concerning you.