8. For I am not ashamed, even if I have boasted somewhat too much about the authority that the Lord has given us — authority to build you up, not to tear you down.
9. I do not want it to appear that I am trying to frighten you with my letters.
10. Someone will say, “Paul's letters are severe and strong, but when he is with us in person, he is weak, and his words are nothing!”
11. Such a person must understand that there is no difference between what we write in our letters when we are away and what we will do when we are there with you.
12. Of course we would not dare to classify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. How stupid they are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and they judge themselves by their own standards!
13. As for us, however, our boasting will not go beyond certain limits; it will stay within the limits of the work which God has set for us, and this includes our work among you.