For I am not ashamed, even if I have boasted somewhat too much about the authority that the Lord has given us---authority to build you up, not to tear you down.

I repeat: no one should think that I am a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool, just so I will have a little to boast of.

After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? We are simply God's servants, by whom you were led to believe. Each one of us does the work which the Lord gave him to do:

For we are partners working together for God, and you are God's field. You are also God's building.

Using the gift that God gave me, I did the work of an expert builder and laid the foundation, and someone else is building on it. But each of you must be careful how you build.

As surely as God speaks the truth, my promise to you was not a "Yes" and a "No."

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus---blessed be his name forever!---knows that I am not lying.

Can anyone deny that this is so? Can anyone prove that my words are not true?

I am speaking the truth; I belong to Christ and I do not lie. My conscience, ruled by the Holy Spirit, also assures me that I am not lying

But to keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw, I was given a painful physical ailment, which acts as Satan's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud.

I do not want it to appear that I am trying to frighten you with my letters.

Someone will say, "Paul's letters are severe and strong, but when he is with us in person, he is weak, and his words are nothing!"