20-22 Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God’s Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge—a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete.

23 Now, are you ready for the real reason I didn’t visit you in Corinth? As God is my witness, the only reason I didn’t come was to spare you pain. I was being considerate of you, not indifferent, not manipulative.

24 We’re not in charge of how you live out the faith, looking over your shoulders, suspiciously critical. We’re partners, working alongside you, joyfully expectant. I know that you stand by your own faith, not by ours.

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22 set his seal(A) of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(B)

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

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