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.”

¹⁹ But ^(A)I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. ²⁰ For ^(B)the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. ²¹ What do you wish? ^(C)Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

⁵ Therefore ^(A)do not pronounce judgment before the time, ^(B)before the Lord comes, ^(C)who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. ^(D)Then each one will receive his commendation from God.