1 Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of the Christ, who in †person am lowly among you, but absent show courage toward you: 2 yea, I beseech you, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some, who count 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 of flesh, but mighty before :God unto casting down of strongholds); 5 casting down reasonings, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of :God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of the Christ; 6 and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your :obedience shall be made full. 7 Do ye look at the things pertaining to †appearance? If any trusteth in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ’s, so also we. 8 For though I should glory somewhat more abundantly concerning our :authority (which the Lord gave for building up, and not for casting you down), I shall not be shamed: 9 that I seem not as if I would terrify you by the letters. 10 Because the letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but the bodily :presence is weak, and his speech of no account. 11 Let such a one reckon this, that, what we are in word by letters when absent, such are we also in deed when present. 12 For we are not bold to judge among, or to judge ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but themselves measuring themselves by themselves, and judging themselves with themselves, are without understanding. 13 But WE will not glory beyond :measure, but according to the measure of the measuring-rod which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even unto you.—14 For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for we came even as far as unto you in the gospel of the Christ: 15 not glorying beyond :measure, that is, in other’s labors; but having hope that, as your :faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you according to our :measuring-rod unto abundance, 16 so as to preach the gospel even unto the parts beyond you, and not to glory in another’s measuring-rod in regard of the things ready. 17 But who glorieth in the Lord let him glory. 18 For not that man is approved who commendeth himself but he whom the Lord commendeth.
