2 Corinthians 7:9 Cross References - Twentieth_Century

⁹ I am glad now; not because of the sorrow it caused you, but because your sorrow brought you to repentance. For it was God's will that you should feel sorrow, in order that you should not suffer loss in any way at our hands.

⁷ So, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one outcast that repents, than over ninety-nine religious men, who have no need to repent.

¹⁰ So, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of God's angels over one outcast that repents."

¹⁷ But, when he came to himself, he said 'How many of my father's hired servants have more bread than they can eat, while here am I starving to death! ¹⁸ I will get up and go to my father, and say to him "Father, I sinned against Heaven and against you; ¹⁹ I am no longer fit to be called your son; make me one of your hired servants."' ²⁰ And he got up and went to his father. But, while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was deeply moved; he ran and threw his arms round his neck and kissed him. ²¹ 'Father,' the son said, 'I sinned against Heaven and against you; I am no longer fit to be called your son; make me one of your hired servants.' ²² But the father turned to his servants and said 'Be quick and fetch a robe--the very best--and put it on him; give him a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet; ²³ And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; ²⁴ For here is my son who was dead, and is alive again, was lost, and is found.' So they began making merry.

³² We could but make merry and rejoice, for here is your brother who was dead, and is alive; who was lost, and is found.'"

²¹ I earnestly pointed both Jews and Greeks to the repentance that leads to God, and to faith in Jesus, our Lord.

¹² Indeed, our main ground for satisfaction is this--Our conscience tells us that our conduct in the world, and still more in our relations with you, was marked by a purity of motive and a sincerity that were inspired by God, and was based, not on worldly policy, but on the help of God.

¹⁶ To the latter we are an odor which arises from death and tells of Death; to the former an odor which arises from life and tells of Life. But who is equal to such a task?

⁶ But God, who encourages the downcast, has encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. ⁷ And it is not only by his arrival that we are encouraged, but also by the encouragement which he received from you; for he tells us of your strong affection, your penitence, and your zeal on my behalf--so that I am happier still.

¹⁰ For, when sorrow is in accordance with God's will, it results in a repentance leading to Salvation, and which will never be regretted. The sure result of the sorrow that the world knows is Death. ¹¹ For see what results that other sorrow--sorrow in accordance with God's will--has had in your case. What earnestness it produced! what explanations! what strong feeling! what alarm! what longing! what eagerness! what readiness to punish! You have proved yourselves altogether free from guilt in that matter.

⁸ Even if I boast extravagantly about our authority--which the Lord gave us for building up your faith and not for overthrowing it--still I have no reason to be ashamed. ⁹ I say this, that it may not seem as if I were trying to overawe you by my letters. ¹⁰ For people say "His letters are impressive and vigorous, but his personal appearance is insignificant and his speaking contemptible."

⁸ We have no power at all against the Truth, but we have power in the service of the Truth. ⁹ We are glad when we are weak, if you are strong. And what we pray for is that you may become perfect. ¹⁰ This is my reason for writing as I am now doing, while I am away from you, so that, when I am with you, I may not act harshly in the exercise of the authority which the Lord gave me--and gave me for building up and not for pulling down.