This is why I am writing these things while absent, so that when I am there I may not have to deal harshly with you, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
For if I boast a little too much about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be put to shame.
But we pray to God that you do nothing wrong #– #not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear to fail.