¹But I myself, Paul, entreat you through the  ²meekness and  ³gentleness of Christ, who (as you say) in person am  ⁴base among you, but while absent am  ⁵bold toward you,

I beseech you that when present I would not have to be bold in the confidence with which I count myself, to dare do to some who count us as ones who are walking according to flesh.

For though we walk  ¹in flesh, we do not war according to flesh;

For the weapons of our warfare are  ¹not fleshly but  ²powerful before God for the overthrowing of strongholds,

As we overthrow  ¹reasonings and every  ²high thing rising up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every  ¹thought unto the obedience of Christ.

And we are ready to  ¹punish all disobedience when your  ²obedience is fulfilled.

You look at things according to their appearance. If someone  ¹has confidence in himself to be of Christ, let him take account of this again concerning himself, that even as he is of Christ, so also are we.

For even if I should boast somewhat more abundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord has given for  ¹building you up and not for overthrowing you, I will not be put to shame.

I say this so as not to seem as if I am terrifying you through my letters,

Because while his letters, someone says, are weighty and strong, his bodily presence is  ¹weak and his speech  ²contemptible.

Let such a one take account of this, that such as we are in word by letters when absent, such also we are in deed when present.

For we do not dare to class or compare ourselves with any of those who commend themselves; but they, measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.

But we will  ¹not boast beyond our measure but  ²according to the measure of the  ³rule which the God of measure has apportioned to us, to reach even as far as you.

For we are not  ¹extending ourselves beyond our bounds, as if we did not reach you, for we were the first to come even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ.

We are not boasting beyond our measure in others' labors, but have the hope, as your faith is increasing, to be  ¹magnified in you according to our rule unto abundance,

So that we may announce the gospel unto those parts beyond you, not so that we may boast in another man's rule in things already prepared.

But he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord;

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah the king of Judah copied.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search a matter out.

As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

Take away the dross from the silver,
And a vessel comes out for the smith;

Take away the wicked man from before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.

Do not claim honor for yourself in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of great men;

For it is better that it is said to you, Come up here,
Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the noble,
Whom your eyes have seen.

Do not go out hastily to strive;
Otherwise what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor puts you to shame?

Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
And do not reveal the secret of another;

Lest he who hears it revile you,
And the evil report of you does not go away.

A word fitly spoken
Is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Like clouds and wind without rain
Is one who boasts of his gifts falsely.

By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded,
And a soft tongue can break the bone.

Have you found honey? Eat only what you need,
Lest you become filled up with it and vomit it.

Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,
Otherwise he will become weary of you and hate you.

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
Is like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow.

Confidence in a treacherous man in time of trouble
Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.

He who sings songs to a troubled heart
Is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
Or like vinegar on soda.

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

For you will heap coals of fire upon his head,
And Jehovah will reward you.

The north wind brings forth rain;
And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
So is good news from a far country.

Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring
Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked man.

It is not good to eat much honey,
Nor is it glory for men to search out their own glory.

Like a city that is broken down, without walls,
Is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool.

Like the sparrow in its fluttering, like the swallow in its flying,
So a curse without cause does not alight.

A whip for the horse! A bridle for the donkey!
And a rod for the back of fools!

Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.

Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

He who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

Like the legs of the lame which hang down,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Like one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is he who gives honor to a fool.

Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

Like a dog that returns to its vomit
Is a fool who repeats his folly.

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

The sluggard says, There is a roaring lion on the way;
A lion is in the streets!

As the door turns upon its hinges,
So does the sluggard upon his bed.

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
He gets weary by bringing it to his mouth again.

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer discreetly.

He who passes by and meddles with strife that does not belong to him,
Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,

So is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, Was I not joking?

For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of one's being.

Burning lips and a wicked heart
Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

He who hates disguises it with his lips,
But he lays up deceit within him;

When he speaks graciously, do not believe him;
For there are seven abominations in his heart;

Though his hatred covers itself with guile,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.