| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | NET Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away!)-- |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving according to human standards. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards, |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9I do not want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters, |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10because some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak and his speech is of no account." |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Let such a person consider this: What we say by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12For we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13But we will not boast beyond certain limits, but will confine our boasting according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us, that reaches even as far as you. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14For we were not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach as far as you, because we were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel about Christ. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15Nor do we boast beyond certain limits in the work done by others, but we hope that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded among you according to our limits, |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16so that we may preach the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast of work already done in another person's area. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17But the one who boasts must boast in the Lord. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends. |
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