⁴ Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,^(A) without comparing themselves to someone else,^(B)

⁵ Examine yourselves^(A) to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.^(B) Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you^(C)—unless, of course, you fail the test?

²⁸ Everyone ought to examine themselves^(A) before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.

Paul’s Change of Plans

¹² Now this is our boast: Our conscience^(A) testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity^[a](B) and godly sincerity.^(C) We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom^(D) but on God’s grace.

¹² And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. ¹³ For such people are false apostles,^(A) deceitful^(B) workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.^(C)

¹⁹ This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: ²⁰ If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹ Dear friends,^(A) if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God^{(B) 22} and receive from him anything we ask,^(C) because we keep his commands^(D) and do what pleases him.^(E)

²¹ So then, no more boasting about human leaders!^(A) All things are yours,^{(B) 22} whether Paul or Apollos^(C) or Cephas^[a](D) or the world or life or death or the present or the future^(E)—all are yours, ²³ and you are of Christ,^(F) and Christ is of God.

¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself^(A) and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.