1 Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises {epangelias: covenant assurances}, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God {Theos, Holy One to be Revered}.
2 Make room {chōrēsate: create receptive space} for us in your hearts; we have wronged {ēdikēsamen: acted unjustly} no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.
3 I am not saying this toward condemnation {katakrisin: punitive judgment}; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together {syzen: share life’s journey}.
4 Great is my boldness toward you; great is my boasting about you. I have been filled with comfort {paraklesis: encouraging strength}; I overflow exceedingly with joy {chara: deep gladness} in all our affliction.
5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our flesh {sarx: physical weakness} had no rest, but we were afflicted {thlibomenoi: under pressure} in every way—fightings on the outside and fears on the inside.
6 But God {Theos, Source of Comfort}, who encourages the humble {tapeinous: bowed down ones}, comforted us by the arrival of Titus.
7 Not only by his presence, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you {paraklesei: strengthening encouragement}, as he reported to us your longing {epipothesis: intense desire}, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
8 For even if I caused you grief with the letter {epistole: written correction}, I do not regret it—though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you grief, though only for a time {hora: brief period}.
9 Now I rejoice not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved into repentance. For you were grieved according to God {Theos, Holy Measure}, so that in nothing you might be harmed {zemiothete: suffer loss} from us.
10 For the sorrow that is according to God {Theos, Holy Standard Giver} produces repentance leading to salvation without regret, but the sorrow of the world produces death {thanatos: a destructive end}.
11 For behold, this very thing—that you were grieved according to God {Theos, Holy Standard}—how much earnestness it has produced in you, but also defense, but also indignation, but also fear, but also longing, but also zeal, but also punishment! In every way, you have demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter {pragmati: specific issue}.
12 Therefore, even if I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who committed the wrong nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but for the sake of your earnestness {spouden: zealous concern} for us being revealed to you before God {Theos, All-Seeing Judge}.
13 Because of this, we have been comforted; and in addition to our comfort {paraklesis: strengthening support}, we rejoiced even more greatly at the joy of Titus, because his spirit {pneuma: inner being} has been refreshed by all of you.
14 For if I spoke to him about you with any boasting, I was not put to shame; rather, just as we spoke everything to you in truth {aletheia: ultimate reality}, so our boasting {kauchesis: confident declaration} before Titus has been vindicated.
15 And his inner affections {splanchna: deep feelings} are even more abundant toward you, as he remembers the obedience of all of you, how with fear and trembling you received him {auton: Titus himself}.
16 I rejoice {khairo: heartfelt joy} that in everything {panti: every circumstance} I have confidence in you.