2 Corinthians 2:2-11

2For if I cause you grief [by a well-deserved rebuke], who then provides me enjoyment but the very one whom I have made sad?

3And I wrote this same thing to you, so that when I came, I would not be filled with sorrow by those who ought to make me glad, for I trusted in you and felt confident that my joy would be shared by all of you.

4For I wrote to you out of great distress and with an anguished heart, and with many tears, not to cause you sorrow but to make you realize the [overflowing] love which I have especially for you.

5But if someone has caused [all this] sorrow, he has caused it not to me, but in some degree—not to put it too severely—[he has distressed and grieved] all of you.

6For such a one this punishment by the majority is sufficient,

7so instead [of further rebuke, now] you should rather [graciously] forgive and comfort and encourage him, to keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

8Therefore I urge you to reinstate him in your affections and reaffirm your love for him.

9For this was my purpose in writing, to see if you would stand the test, whether you are obedient and committed to following my instruction in all things.

10If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive [that one]; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of [and with the approval of] Christ,

11to keep Satan from taking advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.