Whatdo you desire?Shall I cometo you with a rod,orwith loveand a spiritof gentleness?
Nowsomehave become arrogant,as thoughI were not comingto you.
[I have decided] to deliversuch a oneto Satanfor the destructionof his flesh,sothat his spiritmay be savedin the dayof the LordJesus.
But I callGodas witnessto my soul,that to spareyou I did not comeagainto Corinth.
and we are readyto punishalldisobedience,wheneveryour obedienceis complete.
For evenifI boastsomewhatfurtheraboutour authority,whichthe Lordgavefor buildingyou up and not for destroyingyou, I will not be put to shame,
I urgedTitus[to go], and I sentthe brotherwith him. Titusdid not take any advantageof you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselvesin the samespirit[and walk] in the samesteps?
For thisreasonI am writingthese thingswhile absent,sothat when presentI [need] not useseverity,in accordancewith the authoritywhichthe Lordgaveme for buildingup and not for tearing down.
I have previously saidwhenpresentthe second time,and though nowabsentI say in advanceto thosewho have sinned in the pastand to allthe rest[as well], that ifI comeagainI will not spare[anyone],
But I determinedthisfor my own sake,that I would not cometo you in sorrowagain.
Thisis the very thingI wroteyou, sothat when I came,I would not havesorrowfrom those whoought to makeme rejoice;having confidencein you allthat my joywould be [the joy] of you all.
For indeedwhat hadglory,in thiscasehasnoglorybecauseof the glorythat surpasses[it].
Brethren,evenifanyoneis caughtin anytrespass,you who are spiritual,restoresuch a onein a spiritof gentleness;[each one] lookingto yourself,sothat you toowill not be tempted.
But we provedto be gentleamongyou, as a nursing[mother] tenderly caresfor her ownchildren.
But the wisdomfrom aboveis firstpure,thenpeaceable,gentle,reasonable,fullof mercyand goodfruits,unwavering,without hypocrisy.