1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s. 8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: 9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 11 Let such 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 not 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 wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting 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 you according to our rule abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

1 Aš pats, Paulius, jus maldauju Kristaus romumu ir švelnumu­aš, kuris "akyse su jumis esu toks nusižeminęs, o už akių toks drąsus".

2 Aš jus maldauju, kad atvykęs neturėčiau pasirodyti smarkuoliu, pasiryžusiu griežtai sudrausti kai kuriuos, manančius, jog mes elgėmės pagal kūną.

3 Nors mes gyvename kūne, kovojame ne pagal kūną.

4 Mūsų kovos ginklai ne kūniški, bet galingi Dieve griauti tvirtoves.

5 Jais mes nugalime samprotavimus ir bet kokią puikybę, kuri sukyla prieš Dievo pažinimą, ir paimame nelaisvėn kiekvieną mintį, kad paklustų Kristui,

6 esame pasiruošę nubausti kiekvieną neklusnumą, kai tik jūsų klusnumas taps tobulas.

7 Negi viską vertinate pagal išorę? Jei kas pasitiki, kad yra Kristaus, tegul pamąsto dar kartą: kaip jis Kristaus, taip ir mes.

8 O jei panorėčiau daugiau pasigirti ta valdžia, kurią Viešpats mums suteikė jūsų ugdymui, o ne griovimui, tai nebūtų man gėdos.

9 Beje, nenorėčiau pasirodyti bauginąs jus laiškais.

10 Nes "jo laiškai,­sako,­yra svarūs ir stiprūs, bet kūno išvaizda menka ir iškalba prasta".

11 Kas taip mano, teįsidėmi, jog kokie esame iš tolo laiško žodžiais, tokie būsime ir vietoje darbais.

12 Mes nedrįstame savęs išskirti ar lyginti su kai kuriais žmonėmis, kurie patys save giria. Juk jie, matuodami save pagal save pačius ir lygindami save su savimi, elgiasi neprotingai.

13 Mes nesigiriame be saiko, o tik iki tų ribų, kurias mums Dievas užbrėžė ir kurios siekia net ligi jūsų.

14 Mes nepersistengiame,­tarytum nebūtume pasiekę jūsų,­nes Kristaus Evangelija pasiekėme ir jus.

15 Nesigiriame be saiko svetimo darbo vaisiais, bet turime viltį, jūsų tikėjimui augant, su jumis peraugti ligšiolines ribas,

16 kad galėtume skelbti Evangeliją už jūsų ribų ir nesigirti kito atliktu darbu svetimoje srityje.

17 "Kas giriasi, tesigiria Viešpačiu!"

18 Ne tas pagirtinas, kuris pats save giria, bet tas, kurį Viešpats pagiria.