21 It is God himself who makes us, together with you, sure of our life in union with Christ; it is God himself who has set us apart,
22 who has placed his mark of ownership upon us, and who has given us the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us.
23 I call God as my witness — he knows my heart! It was in order to spare you that I decided not to go to Corinth.
24 We are not trying to dictate to you what you must believe; we know that you stand firm in the faith. Instead, we are working with you for your own happiness.