2 Corinthians 7:8

⁶ But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,

⁷ and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced all the more.

Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it, I now see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time.

⁹ And now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us.

¹⁰ Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it, I now see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time.
KJV: For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
WEB: For though I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you grieve, though just for a while.
ASV: For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did regret [it] (for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season),
DARBY: For if also I grieved you in the letter, I do not regret [it], if even I have regretted it; for I see that that letter, if even [it were] only for a time, grieved you.
BLB: For if also I grieved you⁺ in the letter, I do not regret [it]—even if I did regret [it]; for I see that the letter grieved you⁺, that even if for an hour.

ÅB: For om jeg enn bedrøvet dere ved mitt brev, så angrer jeg det ikke; om jeg enn før angret det - jeg ser jo at hint brev bedrøvet dere, om enn bare for en stund -
OTB: For selv om jeg forårsaket dere sorg med brevet mitt, angrer jeg det ikke; selv om jeg angret det—fordi jeg ser at brevet forårsaket dere sorg, men bare for en stund—
B1930: For om jeg enn bedrøvet eder ved mitt brev, så angrer jeg det ikke; om jeg enn før angret det - jeg ser jo at hint brev bedrøvet eder, om enn bare for en stund -

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Revelation 3:19
Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
Read in context
John 16:6
Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things.
Read in context
Exodus 5:22–23
So Moses returned to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me?
Read in context
Hebrews 12:9–11
Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?
Read in context
Jeremiah 20:7–9
You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 2:2–11
For if I grieve you, who is left to cheer me but those whom I have grieved?
Read in context
Lamentations 3:32
Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion.
Read in context
John 21:17
Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
Read in context