2 Corinthians 10
10
Paul Defends His Work for Christ
1Do you think I am a coward when I am with you and brave when I am far away? Well, I ask you to listen, because Christ himself was humble and gentle. 2Some people have said we act like the people of this world. So when I arrive, I expect I will have to be firm and forceful in what I say to them. Please don't make me treat you that way. 3We live in this world, but we don't act like its people 4or fight our battles with the weapons of this world. Instead, we use God's power that can destroy fortresses. We destroy arguments 5and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people's thoughts and make them obey Christ. 6And when you completely obey him, we will punish anyone who refuses to obey.
7You judge by appearances.#10.7 You judge by appearances: Or “Take a close look at yourselves.” If any of you think you are the only ones who belong to Christ, then think again. We belong to Christ as much as you do. 8Maybe I brag a little too much about the authority that the Lord gave me to help you and not to hurt you. Yet I am not embarrassed to brag. 9And I am not trying to scare you with my letters. 10Some of you are saying, “Paul's letters are harsh and powerful. But in person, he is a weakling and has nothing worth saying.” 11Those people had better understand that when I am with you, I will do exactly what I say in my letters.
12We won't dare compare ourselves with those who think so much of themselves. But they are foolish to compare themselves with themselves. 13We won't brag about something we don't have a right to brag about. We will only brag about the work God has sent us to do, and you are part of that work. 14We are not bragging more than we should. After all, we did bring the message about Christ to you.
15We don't brag about what others have done, as if we had done those things ourselves. But I hope as you become stronger in your faith, we will be able to reach many more of the people around you.#10.15 we will be able to reach many more of the people around you: Or “you will praise us even more because of our work among you.” That has always been our goal. 16Then we will be able to preach the good news in other lands where we cannot take credit for work someone else has already done. 17#Jr 9.24. The Scriptures say, “If you want to brag, then brag about the Lord.” 18You may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord's approval.
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
2 Corinthians 10
10
Tearing Down Strongholds
1Now I, Paul, appeal myself to you by the meekness and gentleness of Messiah—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when far away.
2I beg of you that when I am present I won’t need to be bold with the courage I consider showing against some who judge us as walking in the flesh.
3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh.
4For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but powerful through God for the tearing down of strongholds. We are tearing down false arguments
5and every high-minded thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah—
6ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
7Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident in himself that he belongs to Messiah, let him reconsider that just as he belongs to Messiah, so also do we.
8For even if I boast a little more about our authority—which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down—I will not be put to shame.
9Not that I would try to terrify you by my letters—
10for they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his presence in person is weak and his speech of no account.”
11Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word through letters when we are absent, we also are in action when we are present.
12For we do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they have no understanding.
13But we will not boast beyond limits, but within the limits of the area that God has assigned to us—to reach even as far as you.
14We are not extending ourselves too far, as if we did not reach you—for we did come even as far as to you with the Good News of Messiah.
15Neither are we boasting beyond limits based on the labors of others, but we have hope while your faith is growing for our area among you to be greatly enlarged—
16so that we may proclaim the Good News even to regions beyond you, not boasting about what has been accomplished in another’s area.
17But “let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
18For it Is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
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