But, as you know, I didn’t come to Corinth on my way to Macedonia. I stayed away because I wanted to spare you. (God is my witness that this was the reason—may he take my life if I’m lying!)
That’s why I’m writing these things now, while I’m away. Then when I do come, I won’t have to use my authority and be hard on you. The Lord gave me that authority to build you up, not to tear you down.
I already warned you during my second visit, and I’ll say it again now while I’m away: When I return, I won’t spare those who sinned earlier. I won’t spare any of the others, either,
I’m afraid that when I come I won’t find you as I want you to be, and you won’t find me as you want me to be. I’m afraid that there will be arguing, jealousy, fits of anger, selfish ambition, insults, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
When I come to see you, please don’t make me be as severe as I expect I’ll need to be toward some people who think I live in the same way as the people of this world.
I don’t want any of you to think that I’m not concerned about the people of Israel. They’re my family, my own flesh and blood. (I’m not lying, I’m telling you the truth as one in Christ—my conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it.)
The synagogue leader Crispus and everyone living in his house came to believe in the Lord. Many others who lived in Corinth heard Paul, and they too believed and were baptized.
From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and from Timothy our brother. To the members of God’s church in Corinth and to all of God’s holy people everywhere in southern Greece.