2 Corinthians 1:15-24

New International Version

¹⁵ Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you^(A) first so that you might benefit twice.^{(B) 16} I wanted to visit you on my way^(C) to Macedonia^(D) and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way^(E) to Judea.^{(F) 17} Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner^(G) so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?

¹⁸ But as surely as God is faithful,^(H) our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” ¹⁹ For the Son of God,^(I) Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas^[a](J) and Timothy^(K)—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always^(L) been “Yes.” ²⁰ For no matter how many promises^(M) God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen”^(N) is spoken by us to the glory of God.^{(O) 21} Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm^(P) in Christ. He anointed^(Q) us, ²² set his seal^(R) of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.^(S)

²³ I call God as my witness^(T)—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you^(U) that I did not return to Corinth. ²⁴ Not that we lord it over^(V) your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.^(W)