⁷ You are judging by appearances.^[a](A) If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ,^(B) they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do.^{(C) 8} So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us^(D) for building you up rather than tearing you down,^(E) I will not be ashamed of it. ⁹ I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters.