^23 (A)If you forgive the sins of any, their sins ^[a]have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”

¹⁰ But one whom you graciously forgive anything, I graciously forgive also. For indeed what I have graciously forgiven, if I have graciously forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes ^(A)in the presence of Christ,

³ since you are ^(A)seeking proof that ^(B)Christ speaks in me; He is not weak toward you, but ^(C)mighty in you.

¹⁰ For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present ^(A)I need not use ^(B)severity, in accordance with the ^(C)authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.