⁵ For indeed, ^(A)when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but ^(B)we were troubled on every side. ^(C)Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. ⁶ Nevertheless ^(D)God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by ^(E)the coming of Titus, ⁷ and not only by his coming, but also by the ^[a]consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.

⁸ For even if I made you ^(F)sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; ^(G)though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. ⁹ Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. ¹⁰ For ^(H)godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; ^(I)but the sorrow of the world produces death. ¹¹ For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what ^(J)clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be ^(K)clear in this matter.