2 Corinthians 1:21-23

Expanded Bible

²¹ Remember, God is the One who makes you and us ·strong [stand firm; established] in Christ. God ·made us his chosen people [or commissioned us; ^Lanointed us]. ²² He put his ·mark on us to show that we are his [^Lseal on us; ^Cof ownership], and he put his Spirit in our hearts ·to be a guarantee for all he has promised [^Las a pledge/deposit/downpayment].

²³ Now I ·ask [call on; appeal to] God to be my witness ·that this is true [or staking my life on it; ^Lagainst my soul/life; ^Ca very serious vow or oath]: The reason I did not come back to Corinth was to ·keep you from being punished or hurt [^Lspare you].