9. that I may not seem as if I was frightening you by letters:
10. because his letters, he says, are weighty and strong, but his presence in the body weak, and his speech naught.
11. Let such a one think this, that such as we are in word by letters when absent, such also present in deed.
12. For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves; but these, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not intelligent.
13. Now we will not boast out of measure, but according to the measure of the rule which the God of measure has apportioned to us, to reach to you also.
14. For we do not, as not reaching to you, overstretch ourselves, (for we have come to you also in the glad tidings of the Christ;)
15. not boasting out of measure in other people's labours, but having hope, your faith increasing, to be enlarged amongst you, according to our rule, yet more abundantly
16. to announce the glad tidings to that which is beyond you, not to be boasting in another's rule of things made ready to hand.
17. But he that boasts, let him boast in the Lord.
18. For not he that commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.