(KJV) 2 Corinthians 10¹

⥃Paul’s Apostolic Authority

[1] Now I Paul² myself beseech³ you by⁴ the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence⁵ [am] base⁶ among you, but being absent am bold⁷ toward you: [2] But I beseech [you], that I⁸ may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think⁹ to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked¹⁰ according to the flesh. [3] For though we walk¹¹ in the flesh, we do¹² not war after the flesh: [4] (For the weapons¹³ of our¹⁴ warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty¹⁵ through God¹⁶ to the¹⁷ pulling down of strong holds;) [5] Casting down¹⁸ imaginations¹⁹, and every²⁰ high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing²¹ into captivity every thought²² to the obedience²³ of Christ; [6] And havin²⁴g in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when²⁵ your obedience is fulfilled. [7] Do ye look²⁶ on things after the outward appearance? If²⁷ any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he [is] Christ’s, even²⁸ so [are] we Christ’s. [8] For though²⁹ I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not³⁰ be ashamed: [9] That I may not seem as if I would terrify³¹ you by letters. [10] For [his] letters, say they³², [are] weighty and powerful; but³³ [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his³⁴] speech contemptible. [11] Let such³⁵ an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such [will we be] also in deed when we are present. [12] For we dare not³⁶ make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise³⁷. [13] But we will not³⁸ boast of things without [our] measure, but according³⁹ to the measure of the rule⁴⁰ which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. [14] For we stretch not⁴¹ ourselves beyond [our measure], as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in [preaching] the gospel⁴² of Christ: [15] Not boasting⁴³ of things without [our] measure, [that is], of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you⁴⁴ according to our rule abundantly, [16] To preach⁴⁵ the gospel in the [regions] beyond you, [and] not to boast in another man’s line⁴⁶ of things made ready to our hand. [17] But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.⁴⁷ [18] For not⁴⁸ he that commendeth himself is approved⁴⁹, but⁵⁰ whom the Lord commendeth.