2 Corinthians 10 - Lexham English Bible (LEB)

Paul’s Ministry Defended

10 Now I, Paul, appeal to you myself by the humility and gentleness of Christ, who when I am present in person[a] am humble among you, but when I[b] am absent am bold toward you— 2 now I ask when I[c] am present that I will not need to be bold with the confidence with which I propose to show boldness toward some who consider us as behaving according to the flesh. 3 For although we[d] are living in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but powerful to God for the tearing down of fortresses, tearing down arguments 5 and all pride that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 6 And we are ready[e] to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is completed.

7 You are looking at things according to appearance. If anyone is convinced he himself is Christ’s, he should consider this concerning himself again: that just as Christ himself is, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down[f], I will not be put to shame, 9 so that I do not want to appear as if I were terrifying you by my letters, 10 because it is said, “His letters are severe and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak and his speech is of no account.” 11 Let such a person consider this: that what we are in word by letters when we[g] are absent, we will also be in actions[h] when we[i] are present.

12 For we do not dare to classify or to compare ourselves with some who commend themselves, but they themselves, when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, do not understand. 13 But we will not boast beyond limits[j], but according to the measure of the assignment that God has assigned to us as a measure to reach even as far as you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we[k] had not reached you, because we have reached even as far as you with the gospel of Christ, 15 not boasting beyond limits[l] in the labors of others, but having hope that as your faith is growing to be enlarged greatly by you according to our assignment, 16 so that we may proclaim the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast in the things accomplished in the area assigned to someone else. 17 But “the one who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”[m] 18 For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:1 Literally “to the face”
  2. 2 Corinthians 10:1 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“am absent”) which is understood as temporal
  3. 2 Corinthians 10:2 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“am present”) which is understood as temporal
  4. 2 Corinthians 10:3 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are living”) which is understood as concessive
  5. 2 Corinthians 10:6 Literally “having with ready”
  6. 2 Corinthians 10:8 Literally “for building up and not for tearing down of you”
  7. 2 Corinthians 10:11 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are absent”) which is understood as temporal
  8. 2 Corinthians 10:11 Literally “deed”
  9. 2 Corinthians 10:11 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are present”) which is understood as temporal
  10. 2 Corinthians 10:13 Literally “to the things immeasurable”
  11. 2 Corinthians 10:14 Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“reached”) which is understood as conditional
  12. 2 Corinthians 10:15 Literally “to the things immeasurable”
  13. 2 Corinthians 10:17 A quotation from Jer 9:24

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2 Corinthians 10 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

10 And I myself Paul beseech you, by the mildness and softness of Christ[a], which in the face am meek among you, and I absent trust in you. 2 For I pray you, that lest I present be not bold by the trust, in which I am guessed to be bold into some, that deem us, as if we wander after the flesh.[b] ...
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2 Corinthians 10 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

10 Now I, Paul, beg you to do something since you know that Christ was kind and gentle. You say I am weak when I am face to face with you, but when I am not with you, then I speak to you with hard words. 2 I beg you, do not force me to talk hard words when I come. I have made up my mind to talk hard...
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2 Corinthians 10 - World English Bible (WEB)

10 Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us t...
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2 Corinthians 10 - The Voice (VOICE)

10 I, Paul, appeal to you in the same gentle and loving spirit of the Anointed—yes, I who am humble when I’m face-to-face with you but audacious to you in these letters when I’m away (I know what they say). 2 If it were up to me, I’d rather not have to be so bold when I’m with you, especially with ...
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2 Corinthians 10 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

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2 Corinthians 10 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Paul Defends His Ministry10 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold to you when I am away!— 2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against som...
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2 Corinthians 10 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

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2 Corinthians 10 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

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2 Corinthians 10 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Paul Defends His Ministry10 I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you but bold toward you when I am away!(A)—2 I ask that when I am present I need not show boldness by daring to oppose those who think we are acting according to ...
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