¹⁹ Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God^(A) as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends,^(B) is for your strengthening.^(C)

¹⁰ This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh^(A) in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.^(B)