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[a](A)You are looking at [b]things as they are outwardly. (B)If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, (C)so also are we. For even if (D)I boast somewhat [c]further about our (E)authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be put to shame, [d]for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. 10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his [e]personal presence is (F)weak and (G)his [f]words contemptible.” 11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:7 Or Look at... or Do you look at...?
  2. 2 Corinthians 10:7 Lit what is before your face
  3. 2 Corinthians 10:8 Or more abundantly
  4. 2 Corinthians 10:9 Lit so that I may not seem
  5. 2 Corinthians 10:10 Lit bodily presence is weak
  6. 2 Corinthians 10:10 Lit word

Look at what is right in front of you! If anyone is sure about belonging to Christ, that person should think again. We belong to Christ just like that person. Even if I went on to brag about our authority, I wouldn’t be ashamed of it. The Lord gave us that authority to build you up and not to destroy you.

I don’t want it to seem like I’m trying to intimidate you with my letters. 10 I know what some people are saying: “His letters are severe and powerful, but in person he is weak and his speech is worth nothing.” 11 These people need to think about this—that when we are with you, our actions will show that we are the same as the words we wrote when we were away from you.

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