[1] Now I, Paul, who am lowly in presence among you but bold toward you while absent, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. [2] I beg you that when I am present, I might not have to be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. [3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. [4] For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, [5] casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, [6] and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is complete. [7] Do you look at things from the outward appearance? If any man trusts that he is Christ's, let him consider again that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. [8] For even if I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord has given us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed, [9] lest I appear to frighten you by my letters. [10] "For his letters," they say, "are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible." [11] Let such a person consider this: that as we are in word by letters when we are absent, we will also be in deed when we are present. [12] For we dare not count or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. They who measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another are not wise. [13] But we will not boast beyond measure, but within the boundaries which God has appointed us, which reach even you. [14] For we are not overextending ourselves as though we did not reach you, since we have come to you, preaching the gospel of Christ. [15] We are not boasting of things beyond our measure in other men's labors. But we have hope that when your faith is increased, our region shall be greatly enlarged by you, [16] to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you and not to boast in another man's accomplishments. [17] But, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord." [18] For it is not he who commends himself who is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
