1 Wherefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all pollution of flesh and spirit; perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Receive us cordially. We have injured no one; we have corrupted no one; we have defrauded no one.

3 I speak not this to condemn you; for I have said before, that you are in our hearts, to die and live with you.

4 Great is my freedom of speech to you; great is my boasting concerning you: I am filled with consolation, I exceedingly abound in joy in all our affliction.

5 For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh has no rest, but we were distressed on every side; without were fightings- within were fears.

6 Nevertheless, God, who comforts them who are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus-

7 (not, indeed, by his coming only; but more especially by the consolation with which he was comforted by you) -when he told us your earnest desire, your lamentation, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced the more.

8 Therefore, though I made you sorry by the letter, I do not repent, though I did repent; for I perceive that that letter, though suitable to the occasion, made you sorry.

9 I now rejoice; not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow produced reformation: for you were made to sorrow in a godly manner, that you might be injured by us in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow produces a reformation to salvation, never to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

11 Behold, now, this very thing-your being made sorry with a godly sorrow-what carefulness it wrought in you; yes, what clearing of yourselves; yes, what indignation; yes, what fear; yes, what earnest desire; yes, what zeal; yes, what revenge! Upon the whole, you have showed yourselves to be pure in this matter.

12 And, indeed, though I wrote to you, it was not for his sake who did the wrong, nor for his sake who suffered it; but rather, that our care for you, in the presence of God might be manifested to you.

13 For this reason, we were comforted in your comfort: yes, we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

14 That if I have boasted anything to him concerning you, I am not ashamed: for, as we have spoken all things to you in truth, so, also, our boasting to Titus is verified.

15 And his tender affection is more abundant toward you, while he remembers the obedience of you all, and how you received him with fear and trembling.

16 I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.