We are not againcommendingourselvesto you but [are] givingyou an occasionto be proudof us, sothat you will have[an answer] for thosewho take pridein appearanceand not in heart.
Let anotherpraiseyou, and not your own mouth;A stranger,and not your own lips.
justas you alsopartiallydid understandus, that we are your reason to be proudas you alsoare ours,in the dayof our LordJesus.
For we are not boldto classorcompareourselveswith someof thosewho commendthemselves;but when they measurethemselvesby themselvesand comparethemselveswith themselves,they are withoutunderstanding.
For it is not he who commendshimselfthat is approved,but he whomthe Lordcommends.
You are lookingat things as they are outwardly.Ifanyoneis confidentin himselfthat he is Christ's,let him considerthisagainwithinhimself,that justas he is Christ's,soalsoare we.
For evenifI boastsomewhatfurtheraboutour authority,whichthe Lordgavefor buildingyou up and not for destroyingyou, I will not be put to shame,
I have becomefoolish;you yourselvescompelledme. ActuallyI shouldhave been commendedby you, for in norespectwas I inferiorto the most eminentapostles,eventhoughI ama nobody.
Are we beginningto commendourselvesagain?Ordo we need,as some,lettersof commendationto you orfrom you?
but in everythingcommendingourselvesas servantsof God,in muchendurance,in afflictions,in hardships,in distresses,
sothat your proud confidencein me may aboundin ChristJesusthroughmy comingto you again.
