⁶ For if I had a desire to take credit to myself, it would not be foolish, for I would be saying what is true: but I will not, for fear that I might seem to any man more than he sees me to be, or has word from me that I am.

¹⁶ I say again, Let me not seem foolish to anyone; but if I do, put up with me as such, so that I may take a little glory to myself.

¹¹ I have been forced by you to become foolish, though it was right for my praise to have come from you: for in no way was I less than the chief of the Apostles, though I am nothing.

⁷ And because the revelations were so very great, in order that I might not be overmuch lifted up, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, one sent from Satan to give me pain.

³¹ The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be praise for ever, is witness that the things which I say are true.

⁸ For though I might take pride in our authority (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for your destruction), it will not be a cause of shame to me:

⁹ That I may not seem to have the desire of causing you fear by my letters.

¹⁰ For his letters, they say, have weight and are strong; but in body he is feeble, and his way of talking has little force.

¹³ For if we are foolish, it is to God; or if we are serious, it is for you.

¹⁸ As God is true, our word to you is not Yes and No.

⁹ For we are workers with God: you are God's planting, God's building.

¹⁰ In the measure of the grace given to me, I, as a wise master-builder, have put the base in position, and another goes on building on it. But let every man take care what he puts on it.

⁵ What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? They are but servants who gave you the good news as God gave it to them.

¹ I say what is true in Christ, and not what is false, my mind giving witness with me in the Holy Spirit,

²⁵ And if it is not so, now, who will make it clear that my words are false, and that what I say is of no value?