⁶ For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I forbear, so that no man may account of me above that which he sees in me, or hears from me.

¹⁶ I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.

¹¹ I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.

⁷ By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted excessively.

³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forevermore, knows that I don't lie.

⁸ For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed,

⁹ that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.

¹⁰ For, "His letters," they say, "are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised."

¹³ For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you.

¹⁸ But as God is faithful, our word toward you was not "Yes and no."

⁹ For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's farming, God's building.

¹⁰ According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.

⁵ Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him?

¹ I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit,

²⁵ If it isn't so now, who will prove me a liar, And make my speech worth nothing?"