For evenifI boastsomewhatfurtheraboutour authority,whichthe Lordgavefor buildingyou up and not for destroyingyou, I will not be put to shame,
Not that we lord it overyour faith,but are workerswith you for your joy;for in your faithyou are standing firm.
for the weaponsof our warfareare not of the flesh,but divinelypowerfulfor the destructionof fortresses.
for I do not wish to seemas ifI would terrifyyou by my letters.
All this timeyou have been thinkingthat we are defendingourselves to you. [Actually], it is in the sightof Godthat we have been speakingin Christ;and allfor your upbuilding,beloved.
For ifI do wishto boastI will not be foolish,for I will be speakingthe truth;but I refrain[from] [this], so that noonewill creditme with more thanhe sees[in] me orhearsfrom me.
For thisreasonI am writingthese thingswhile absent,sothat when presentI [need] not useseverity,in accordancewith the authoritywhichthe Lordgaveme for buildingup and not for tearing down.
For we cando nothingagainstthe truth,but [only] for the truth.
For ifin anythingI have boastedto him aboutyou, I was not put to shame;but as we spokeall thingsto you in truth,soalsoour boastingbeforeTitusprovedto be [the] truth.
Greatis my confidencein you; greatis my boastingon your behalf.I am filledwith comfort;I am overflowingwith joyin allour affliction.
Paul,an apostle(not [sent] from mennorthroughthe agencyof man,but throughJesusChristand Godthe Father,who raisedHim from the dead),
For thisreasonI alsosufferthese things,but I am not ashamed;for I knowwhomI have believedand I am convincedthat He is ableto guardwhat I have entrustedto Him untilthat day.