Paul’s Sincerity and Constancy. 12^* For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with the simplicity and sincerity of God, [and] not by human wisdom but by the grace of God. 13For we write you nothing but what you can read and understand, and I hope that you will understand completely, 14as you have come to understand us partially, that we are your boast as you also are ours, on the day of [our] Lord Jesus.^h

15With this confidence I formerly intended to come^* to you so that you might receive a double favor, 16namely, to go by way of you to Macedonia, and then to come to you again on my return from Macedonia, and have you send me on my way to Judea.ⁱ 17So when I intended this, did I act lightly?^* Or do I make my plans according to human considerations, so that with me it is “yes, yes” and “no, no”?^j 18As God is faithful,^* our word to you is not “yes” and “no.” 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not “yes” and “no,” but “yes” has been in him.^k 20For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory.^l 21^* But the one who gives us security with you in Christ and who anointed us is God;^m 22he has also put his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.ⁿ

Paul’s Change of Plan. 23^o But I call upon God as witness, on my life, that it is to spare you that I have not yet gone to Corinth.^* 24Not that we lord it over your faith; rather, we work together for your joy, for you stand firm in the faith.