To stop the calumny and boasting of false apostles, he set forth the power of his apostleship.

 1 Now I Paul myself beseech you, by the mildness and modesty of Christ, who in presence indeed am lowly among you, but being absent, am bold toward you.
Ipse autem ego Paulus obsecro vos per mansuetudinem et modestiam Christi, qui in facie quidem humilis sum inter vos, absens autem confido in vos.

 2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present, with that confidence wherewith I am thought to be bold, against some, who reckon us as if we walked according to the flesh.
Rogo autem vos ne praesens audeam per eam confidentiam, qua existimor audere in quosdam, qui arbitrantur nos tamquam secundum carnem ambulemus.

 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
In carne enim ambulantes, non secundum carnem militamus.

 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty to God unto the pulling down of fortifications, destroying counsels,
Nam arma militiae nostrae non carnalia sunt, sed potentia Deo ad destructionem munitionum, consilia destruentes,

 5 And every height that exhalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every understanding unto the obedience of Christ;
et omnem altitudinem extollentem se adversus scientiam Dei, et in captivitatem redigentes omnem intellectum in obsequium Christi,

 6 And having in readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be fulfilled.
et in promptu habentes ulcisci omnem inobedientiam, cum impleta fuerit vestra obedientia.

 7 See the things that are according to outward appearance. If any man trust to himself, that he is Christ's, let him think this again with himself, that as he is Christ's, so are we also.
Quae secundum faciem sunt, videte. Si quis confidit sibi Christi se esse, hoc cogitet iterum apud se : quia sicut ipse Christi est, ita et nos.

 8 For if also I should boast somewhat more of our power, which the Lord hath given us unto edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed.
Nam etsi amplius aliquid gloriatus fuero de potestate nostra, quam dedit nobis Dominus in aedificationem, et non in destructionem vestram, non erubescam.

 9 But that I may not be thought as it were to terrify you by epistles,
Ut autem non existimer tamquam terrere vos per epistolas :

 10 (For his epistles indeed, say they, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible,)
quoniam quidem epistolae, inquiunt, graves sunt et fortes : praesentia autem corporis infirma, et sermo contemptibilis :

 11 Let such a one think this, that such as we are in word by epistles, when absent, such also we will be indeed when present.
hoc cogitet qui ejusmodi est, quia quales sumus verbo per epistolas absentes, tales et praesentes in facto.

 12 For we dare not match, or compare ourselves with some, that commend themselves; but we measure ourselves by ourselves, and compare ourselves with ourselves.
Non enim audemus inserere, aut comparare nos quibusdam, qui seipsos commendant : sed ipsi in nobis nosmetipsos metientes, et comparantes nosmetipsos nobis.

 13 But we will not glory beyond our measure; but according to the measure of the rule, which God hath measured to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
Nos autem non in immensum gloriabimur, sed secundum mensuram regulae, qua mensus est nobis Deus, mensuram pertingendi usque ad vos.

 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as if we reached not unto you. For we are come as far as to you in the gospel of Christ.
Non enim quasi non pertingentes ad vos, superextendimus nos : usque ad vos enim pervenimus in Evangelio Christi.

 15 Not glorying beyond measure in other men's labours; but having hope of your increasing faith, to be magnified in you according to our rule abundantly;
Non in immensum gloriantes in alienis laboribus : spem autem habentes crescentis fidei vestrae, in vobis magnificari secundum regulam nostram in abundantiam,

 16 Yea, unto those places that are beyond you, to preach the gospel, not to glory in another man's rule, in those things that are made ready to our hand.
etiam in illa, quae ultra vos sunt, evangelizare, non in aliena regula in iis quae praeparata sunt gloriari.

 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Qui autem gloriatur, in Domino glorietur.

 18 For not he who commendeth himself, is approved, but he, whom God commendeth.
Non enim qui seipsum commendat, ille probatus est : sed quem Deus commendat.