2 Corinthians 10:9-18

English Standard Version

⁹ I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. ¹⁰ For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but ^(A)his bodily presence is weak, and ^(B)his speech of no account.” ¹¹ Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. ¹² Not that we dare to classify or ^(C)compare ourselves with some of those who ^(D)are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are ^(E)without understanding.

¹³ But we will not boast ^(F)beyond limits, but will ^(G)boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, ^(H)to reach even to you. ¹⁴ For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. ^(I)For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. ¹⁵ We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that ^(J)as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be ^(K)greatly enlarged, ¹⁶ so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence. ¹⁷ “Let ^(L)the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” ¹⁸ For it is ^(M)not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one ^(N)whom the Lord commends.