1 For I made up my mind ^unot to make another painful visit to you. 2 For ^vif I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, ^wfor I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For ^xI wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

21 What do you wish? ^vShall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?