7. Consider the things that are in accord with appearances. If anyone trusts that by these things he belongs to Christ, let him reconsider this within himself. For just as he belongs to Christ, so also do we.
8. And if I were even to glory somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord has given to us for your edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed.
9. But let it not be said that I am scaring you by means of epistles.
10. For they say: "His epistles, indeed, are weighty and strong. But his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is contemptible."
11. Let someone like this realize that whatever we are in word through epistles, while absent: we are much the same in deed, while present.
12. For we would not dare to interpose or compare ourselves with certain ones who commend themselves. But we measure ourselves by ourselves, and we compare ourselves with ourselves.