Even 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.
Look 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.
Jesus said to him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” It made Peter sad that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” He answered, “Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
We 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.
But 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.
So 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.