⁴ On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.^(A) We are not trying to please people^(B) but God, who tests our hearts.^{(C) 5} You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed^(D)—God is our witness.^{(E) 6} We were not looking for praise from people,^(F) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles^(G) of Christ we could have asserted our authority.^(H)

¹⁸ Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory,^(A) but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.