2 Corinthians 10:1,10 - Compare All Versions

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By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!

For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.”

I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!

For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.”

Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away.

For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!”

Now I, Paul, myself, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ — I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent.

For it is said, “His letters are weighty and powerful, but his physical presence is weak and his public speaking amounts to nothing.”

Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you

For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.

“For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”

And now a personal but most urgent matter; I write in the gentle but firm spirit of Christ. I hear that I’m being painted as cringing and wishy-washy when I’m with you, but harsh and demanding when at a safe distance writing letters. Please don’t force me to take a hard line when I’m present with you. Don’t think that I’ll hesitate a single minute to stand up to those who say I’m an unprincipled opportunist. Then they’ll have to eat their words.

And what’s this talk about me bullying you with my letters? “His letters are brawny and potent, but in person he’s a weakling and mumbles when he talks.” Such talk won’t survive scrutiny. What we write when away, we do when present. We’re the exact same people, absent or present, in letter or in person.

Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!

For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.”

Now I, Paul, urge you by the gentleness and graciousness of Christ—I who am meek [so they say] when with you face to face, but bold [outspoken and fearless] toward you when absent!

for they say, “His letters are weighty and forceful and impressive, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible [of no account].”

Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away!)

because some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak and his speech is of no account.”