^23 (A)If you forgive the sins of any, their sins ^[a]have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”

¹⁰ But one whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did so for your sakes ^(A)in the presence of Christ,

³ since you are ^(A)seeking proof of the ^(B)Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak toward you, but ^(C)mighty in you.

¹⁰ For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present ^(A)I need not use ^(B)severity, in accordance with the ^(C)authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.