Paul's Change of Plans

12 Now this is the reason for our confidence: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with [fn]integrity and godly sincerity, not by worldly wisdom, but by the grace of God. 13 For we are not writing anything to you other than what you can read and understand. And I hope that you will understand completely— 14 just as you have understood us in part—that on the day of [fn]the Lord Jesus you will be proud of us just as we will be proud of you.

15 Because I was confident of this, I intended to come to you first, so that you would [fn]be blessed by a second visit. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and return to you from Macedonia, and then have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I vacillating when I planned to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner, ready to say “Yes” and “No” at the same time? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our message to you [fn]did not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God, [fn]Jesus Christ, whom Silvanus, Timothy, and I preached among you, did not waver between “Yes” and “No.” On the contrary, in him God's answer has always been “Yes.” 20 For in him every one of God's promises is [fn]“Yes,” and in him we say “Amen” to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and who anointed us. 22 He has also sealed us and put his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

23 I call upon God as a witness against me, that the reason I did not return to Corinth was to spare you. 24 Not that we rule over your faith; rather, we work with you for your joy, because by faith you stand firm.

2 So I made up my mind that I would not come to you again in sorrow. 2 For if I make you sorrowful, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have made sorrowful? 3 That is why I wrote [fn]to you as I did, so that when I came I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence about you all that my joy would be yours. 4 For I wrote to you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you sorrow, but to let you know the abundant love I have for you.