10:1  Now I Paul am personally exhorting you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. On the one hand, when present with you I am base; but on the other hand, when absent I am bold toward you.

10:2  But I am beseeching you so that, when I am present, I may not have to be bold with the confidence with which I intend to show boldness toward some, who think that we are walking according to the flesh.

10:3  For although we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

10:4  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the overthrowing of strongholds,

10:5  Casting down vain imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ;

10:6  And having a readiness to avenge all disobedience, whenever your obedience has been fulfilled.

10:7  Are you looking at things according to their appearance? If anyone is persuaded in his own mind that he is Christ's, let him reconsider this concerning himself; for exactly as he is Christ's, so also are we Christ's.

10:8  For even if I should boast somewhat more concerning our authority, which the Lord has given to us for your edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be put to shame

10:9  In order that I may not seem as though I am frightening you by means of epistles.

10:10  "For on the one hand," they say, "his epistles are weighty and strong; but on the other hand, his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is contemptible."

10:11  Let such a one think about this: that exactly as we are in word by epistles when we are absent, so we will be in action when we are present.

10:12  But we dare not join ranks with or compare ourselves with those who are commending themselves; for those who measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, have no understanding.

10:13  Now we will not boast of things beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the rule that God has distributed to us, which extends even to you.

10:14  For we are not stretching beyond our measure, as if we did not extend to you (for we also came to you with the gospel of Christ).

10:15  We are not boasting in things beyond our measure, such as other men's labors; but we have hope that when your faith is increased, we will be abundantly enriched by you according to our rule of faith,

10:16  In order to preach the gospel to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in things made ready in another man's territory.

10:17  But the one who is boasting, let him boast in the Lord.

10:18  For the one who is approved is not the one who commends himself, but the one whom the Lord commends.