12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.(A) When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us,(B) a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you(C) with the gospel of Christ.(D) 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits(E) by boasting of work done by others.(F) Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow,(G) our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel(H) in the regions beyond you.(I) For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. 17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[a](J) 18 For it is not the one who commends himself(K) who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:17 Jer. 9:24

12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. 14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.

15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. 16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. 17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”[a]

18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

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Footnotes

  1. 10:17 Jer 9:24.