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2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
New International Version
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
New International Version
Paul’s Change of Plans
12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience(A) testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity[a](B) and godly sincerity.(C) We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom(D) but on God’s grace. 13 For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.(E)
15 Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you(F) first so that you might benefit twice.(G) 16 I wanted to visit you on my way(H) to Macedonia(I) and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way(J) to Judea.(K) 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner(L) so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?
18 But as surely as God is faithful,(M) our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God,(N) Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas[b](O) and Timothy(P)—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always(Q) been “Yes.” 20 For no matter how many promises(R) God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen”(S) is spoken by us to the glory of God.(T) 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm(U) in Christ. He anointed(V) us, 22 set his seal(W) of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(X)
23 I call God as my witness(Y)—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you(Z) that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over(AA) your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.(AB) 2 1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.(AC) 2 For if I grieve you,(AD) who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did,(AE) so that when I came I would not be distressed(AF) by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence(AG) in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4 For I wrote you(AH) out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 1:12 Many manuscripts holiness
- 2 Corinthians 1:19 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
King James Version
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
King James Version
12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
13 For we write none other things unto you, that what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our's in the day of the Lord Jesus.
15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;
16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.
17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
2 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
New King James Version
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
New King James Version
Paul’s Sincerity
12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in [a]simplicity and (A)godly sincerity, (B)not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. 13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 14 (as also you have understood us in part), (C)that we are your boast as (D)you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Sparing the Church
15 And in this confidence (E)I intended to come to you before, that you might have (F)a second benefit— 16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, (G)to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea. 17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan (H)according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 18 But as God is (I)faithful, our [b]word to you was not Yes and No. 19 For (J)the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, (K)Silvanus, and (L)Timothy—was not Yes and No, (M)but in Him was Yes. 20 (N)For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and (O)has anointed us is God, 22 who (P)also has sealed us and (Q)given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
23 Moreover (R)I call God as witness against my soul, (S)that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not (T)that we [c]have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for (U)by faith you stand.
Paul Urges Forgiveness
2 But I determined this within myself, (V)that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 For if I make you (W)sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
Forgive the Offender
3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, (X)I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, (Y)having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much [d]affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, (Z)not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 1:12 The opposite of duplicity
- 2 Corinthians 1:18 message
- 2 Corinthians 1:24 rule
- 2 Corinthians 2:4 tribulation
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.