¶ Seeing that we have such promises dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and grow up to full holiness in the fear of God. Understand us: we have hurt no man: we have corrupted no man: we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have shewed you before that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. I am very bold over you, and rejoice greatly in you. I am filled with comfort, my joy exceeding in all our tribulations. For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side: Outward was fighting, inward was fear. Nevertheless he that comforteth the abject, comforted us at the coming of Titus.
¶ And not with his coming only: but also with the consolation wherewith he was comforted of you. For he told us your desire, your mourning, your fervent mind to meward: So that I now rejoice the more. Wherefore though I made you sorry with a letter I repent not: though I did repent. For I perceive that that same Epistle made you sorry though it were but for a season. But I now rejoice, not that ye were sorry, but that ye so sorrowed, that ye repented. For ye sorrowed godly: so that in nothing were ye hurt by us. For godly sorrow causeth repentance unto health, not to be repented of: when worldly sorrow causeth death.
¶ Behold what diligence this godly sorrow that ye took hath wrought in you: yea it caused you to clear yourselves. It caused indignation, it caused fear, it caused desire, it caused a fervent mind, it caused punishment. For in all things ye have shewed yourselves that ye were clear in that business. Wherefore though I have written unto you, I did it not for his cause that did hurt, neither for his cause that was hurt: but that our good mind which we have toward you in the sight of God, might appear unto you.
¶ Therefore we are comforted, because ye are comforted: yea and exceedingly the more joyed we, for the joy that Titus had: because his spirit was refreshed of you all. I am therefore not now ashamed, though I boasted myself to him of you. For as all things which I preached unto you are true, even so is our boasting, that I boasted myself to Titus withall, found true. And now is his inward affection more abundant toward you, when he remembereth the obedience of every one of you: how with fear and trembling ye received him. I rejoice that I may be bold over you in all things.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1526