1And I myself, Paul, beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ; I, who indeed to look upon [am] lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2But I ask, not being present, that I may be bold with the confidence which I think to be daring against some, who thought [of] us as walking according to flesh. 3For though walking about in flesh, we do not war according to flesh. 4For the weapons of our warfare [are] not fleshly, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, 5pulling down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ; 6and having readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 7Do you look at things according to appearance? If anyone has persuaded himself that he [is] Christ's, let him think this again as to himself, that as he [is] Christ's, even so we [are] Christ's. 8For even if I also should boast somewhat more fully of our authority (which the Lord has given us for building up, and not for pulling you down) I will not be put to shame; 9so that I might not seem to terrify you by letters. 10For indeed they say, the letters [are] weighty and powerful, but the bodily presence [is] weak, and his speech is contemptible. 11Let such a one think this, that, such as we [are] in word by letters, being absent, such [we will be] also in deed when we are present. 12For we do not dare to rank or compare ourselves with some of the ones commending themselves. But they, measuring themselves among themselves, and comparing themselves to themselves, are not perceptive. 13But we will not boast beyond measure, but according to the measure of the rule which the God of measure distributed to us, to reach even to you. 14For we do not overstretch ourselves as [though] not reaching to you. For we also came to you in the gospel of Christ; 15not boasting beyond measure in the labors of others, but having hope that the growing faith among you will be increased according to our rule, to overflowing; 16to preach the gospel in that beyond you, and not to boast in another's rule in things made ready. 17But he who glories, let him glory in [the] Lord. 18For not he who commends himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.