2 Corinthians 10

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:

I, Paul, humbly urge you, with the kindness and gentleness of Christ. I may seem insignificant when I'm with you, but when I'm away, I'm courageous towards you.

But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

I urge you, let me not be overly assertive when I'm with you, with the courage I plan to show against those who believe we live only by worldly standards.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

Even though we live as humans, our battles aren't fought with human methods.

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Our battle tools aren't physical, but they are powerful through God, capable of demolishing even the toughest barriers.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Tearing down all lofty thoughts and ideas that challenge God's wisdom, and making every thought surrender to Christ's teachings.

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

And we stand ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your own obedience is complete.

Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.

Don't judge by appearances alone. If anyone believes they belong to Christ, they should remember that we too belong to Christ just as much as they do.

For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

Even if I brag a bit about the authority God has given us, it's only to build you up, not tear you down, and I feel no shame in that.

That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

So you won't feel intimidated by my letters.

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

People say his written words are profound and impactful, yet in person, he seems frail and his spoken words lack charm.

Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.

Let such people understand this: what we are in our letters when we're away, we will also be in action when we're with you.

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

We shouldn't count ourselves among those who boast about their own achievements. Those who only measure their worth by comparing themselves to others lack true wisdom.

But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

We won't brag about what's beyond our capabilities, but only about what God has enabled us to achieve, which includes reaching out to you.

For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:

We never overstep our bounds, as if we couldn't reach you. We've come to you, sharing Christ's message.

Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

We don't brag about what others have done. Instead, we hope that as your faith grows, our work among you will grow greatly too, within our bounds,

To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.

To passionately share the good news in unexplored territories, not to take pride in what others have prepared for us.

But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

If one must boast, let them boast about the Lord's greatness.

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

It's not about praising oneself that earns approval, but receiving praise from God.