The Second Epistle of St Paul the Apostle
to the Corinthians

Yes Word (Tyndale-Modern English)

      I Paul my self beseech you by the meekness and softness of Christ which when I am present among you, am of no reputation, but am bold toward you being absent. I beseech you that I need not to be bold when I am present (with that same confidence, wherewith I am supposed to be bold) against some which repute us as though we walked carnally. Nevertheless though we walk compassed with the flesh, yet we war not fleshly. For the weapons of our war are not carnal things, but things mighty in God, to cast down strongholds, wherewith we overthrow imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bring into captivity all understanding to the obedience of Christ, and are ready to take vengeance on all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Look ye on things after the outer appearance?
      If any man trust in him self that he is Christs, let the same also consider of him self, that as he is Christs, even so are we Christs. And though I should boast my self somewhat more of our authority which the Lord hath given us to edify and not to destroy you, it should not be to my shame. This say I, lest I should seem as though I went about to make you afraid with letters. For the epistles (saith he) are sore and strong: but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech rude. Let him that is such think on this wise, that as we are in words by letters when we are absent, such are we in deeds when we are present.
      For we cannot find in our hearts to make ourselves of the number of them, or to compare ourselves to them, which *laud them selves nevertheless while they measure them selves with them selves, and compare them selves with them selves, they understand nought. But we will not rejoice above measure: but according to the quantity of the measure which God hath distributed unto us, a measure that reacheth even unto you. For we stretch not out ourselves beyond measure as though we had not reached unto you. For even unto you have we come with the gospel of Christ, and we boast not our selves out of measure in other mens labors. Yee and we hope, when your faith is increased among you, to be magnified according to our measure, more largely, and to preach the gospel in those regions which are beyond you: and not to rejoice of that which is by another mans measure prepared already. Let him that rejoiceth, rejoice in the Lord. For he that praiseth him self, is not allowed: but he whom the Lord praiseth.

*laud (praise, exalt)

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