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)