³ since you seek proof that Christ ^(A)is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but ^(B)is powerful among you.

^20 (A)For it is not you who speak, but ^(B)the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

^12 (A)The signs of a true apostle were performed among you ^(B)with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

⁸ For even if I boast a little too much of ^(A)our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. 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 ^(B)his bodily presence is weak, and ^(C)his speech of no account.”

¹⁵ for ^(A)I will give you a mouth and ^(B)wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or ^(C)contradict.

Paul Surrenders His Rights

9 ^(A)Am I not free? ^(B)Am I not an apostle? ^(C)Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? ^(D)Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? ² If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are ^(E)the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

³ This is my defense to those who would examine me.

⁴ For the ^(A)weapons of ^(B)our warfare are not of the flesh but have ^(C)divine power ^(D)to destroy strongholds.

Ministers of the New Covenant

3 ^(A)Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, ^(B)as some do, ^(C)letters of recommendation to you, or from you? ^2 (D)You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our^[a] hearts, to be known and read by all. ³ And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of ^(E)the living God, not on ^(F)tablets of stone but on ^(G)tablets of ^(H)human hearts.^[b]

¹⁰ Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,