¹Dear friends, since we have these promises from God, let’s purify ourselves from everything that could make our bodies and spirits impure. Let’s be completely holy, to honor God.

²Make room for us in your hearts. We haven’t cheated anyone, we haven’t corrupted anyone, and we haven’t taken advantage of anyone.

³I don’t say this to accuse you; I’ve told you before that you mean so much to us that we would live or die with you.

⁴I’ve spoken to you very honestly. I’m very proud of you. I’m truly encouraged; even with all of our troubles, I’m overflowing with joy.

⁵When we came to Macedonia, we weren’t able to rest. There was trouble all around. We had battles on the outside and fears on the inside.

⁶But God, who comforts those who are discouraged, comforted us by sending Titus.

⁷We were comforted by his arrival, and also by the comfort you had given him. He told us how much you longed for me and about your deep sadness and great concern for me. That made me happier than ever.

⁸Even if my letter upset you, I’m not sorry that I sent it. At first I was sorry, because I see that my letter hurt you, though only for a little while.

⁹But now I’m happy, not because I made you sad, but because your sadness led you to turn away from your sins. You felt sad the right way as God intended, so we didn’t hurt you in any way.

¹⁰Godly sadness causes us to turn away from our sins and be saved. And we’re certainly not sorry about that! But worldly sadness brings death.

¹¹Look at what that godly sadness has produced in you. You’re working hard to clear yourselves. You’re upset and alarmed. You’re longing to see me. You’re concerned about what has happened. You want to make sure that the right thing is done. In every way, you’ve shown that you’re not at fault.

¹²So even though I wrote to you, it wasn’t for the sake of the one who did the wrong or for the sake the one who was wronged. Instead, I wrote you so that in the sight of God you could see for yourselves how faithful you are to us.

¹³All of this is very encouraging.

We were also very glad to see how happy Titus was. You have all refreshed his spirit.

¹⁴I had bragged about you to him, and you haven’t let me down. Everything we said to you was true, and in the same way, everything we told Titus about you has also turned out to be true.

¹⁵His love for you is even greater when he remembers how you all obeyed. You received him with fear and trembling.

¹⁶I’m glad I can have complete confidence in you.