10:1 Now I Paulos myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Mashiach, who in presence [am] base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
10:2 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.
10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through Elohim (אלהים) to the pulling down of strong holds;)
10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim (אלהים), and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Mashiach;
10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
10:7 Do you look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Mashiach's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he [is] Mashiach's, even so [are] we Mashiach's.
10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which Adonay has given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
10:9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10:10 For [his] letters, say they, [are] weighty and powerful; but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech contemptible.
10:11 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.
10:12 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.
10:13 But we will not boast of things without [our] measure, but according to the measure of the rule which Elohim (אלהים) has distributed to us, a measure to reach even to you.
10:14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond [our measure], as though we reached not to you: for we are come as far as to you also in [proclaiming] the good news of Mashiach:
10:15 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,
10:16 To proclaim the good news in the [regions] beyond you, [and] not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
10:17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in Adonay.
10:18 For not he that commends himself is approved, but whom Adonay commends.