I’m not going to compare myself with those other people who praise themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they’re not being wise.
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people—not like robbers, or people who do other evil things, or those who commit adultery, or even like this tax collector.
I don’t dare to speak about anything except what Christ has done through me. He has been leading the Gentiles to obey God through what I have said and done,
We’re not trying to recommend ourselves to you again, but we are giving you a chance to be proud of us. That way you can answer those who judge people by external appearances, rather than by what’s in their hearts.