Paul

1Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Paul raised his hand and began to defend himself.

2I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

"King Agrippa, I count myself fortunate that today I can stand before you and answer everything the Jewish leaders accuse me of.

3Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

This is even better because you know all the customs and the arguments among the Jews. So please listen to me patiently.

4My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

All the Jews know how I have lived since I was young, among my own people and in Jerusalem.

5Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

They have known me a long time. If they are willing, they can tell you I lived as a Pharisee, in the strictest group of our religion.

6And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

And now I am on trial because I hope in a promise God made to our ancestors.

7Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

Our twelve tribes hope to see that promise come true as they serve God day and night. King, it is for that hope that the Jews accuse me.

8Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

Why should any of you think it impossible that God raises the dead?

9I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

I myself was once certain that I ought to do everything I could against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

10Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests, I locked up many of God's people in prison. When they were put to death, I voted against them.

11And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

Many times I had them punished in the meeting houses, and I tried to force them to speak against God. I was so furious that I chased them even to cities in other lands.

12Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

On one such trip I was going to Damascus, carrying the authority and orders of the chief priests.

13At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

About noon, O king, while I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun. It shone all around me and the men traveling with me.

14And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

We all fell to the ground. Then I heard a voice speak to me in Hebrew: 'Saul, Saul, why are you hurting me? It only hurts you to kick against the goads.'

15And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' He answered, 'I am Jesus, the one you are hurting.'

16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

'But get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to make you my servant and my witness. You will tell what you have seen of me and what I will still show you.'

17Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

'I will keep you safe from your own people and from the Gentiles, the people who are not Jewish. I am sending you to them,'

18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

'to open their eyes, so they turn from darkness to light and from Satan's power to God. Then their sins can be forgiven, and they will receive a place among those made holy by trusting me.'

19Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

So, King Agrippa, I did not disobey that vision from heaven.

20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

First I spoke to the people in Damascus, then in Jerusalem, then all through the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles. I told them to turn away from their sins, turn to God, and live in a way that shows the change.

21For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

That is why the Jews grabbed me in the temple and tried to kill me.

22Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

But God has helped me right up to this day. So I stand here and speak to important people and ordinary people alike. I say nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen:

23That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

that the Christ, the King God promised to send, would suffer, and that he would be the first to rise from the dead, and would bring light to our people and to the Gentiles."

24And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

While Paul was saying this, Festus shouted, "Paul, you are out of your mind! All your studying has driven you crazy!"

25But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

But Paul said, "I am not crazy, most excellent Festus. What I am saying is true and sensible.

26For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

The king knows about these things, so I can speak openly to him. I am sure none of it has escaped him, because it did not happen in a hidden corner.

27King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do."

28Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think you can talk me into being a Christian in such a short time?"

29And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

Paul answered, "Short time or long, I pray to God that you and everyone listening today would become what I am, except for these chains."

30And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

Then the king stood up, and so did the governor, Bernice, and the people sitting with them.

31And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

As they walked out, they said to each other, "This man has done nothing that deserves death or prison."

32Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not asked Caesar to hear his case."

1And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.

It was decided that we would sail to Italy. Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to an officer named Julius, of the Emperor's regiment.

2And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

We boarded a ship from Adramyttium that was about to sail to ports along the coast of Asia, and we set out. Aristarchus, a man from Thessalonica in Macedonia, was with us.

3And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

The next day we landed at Sidon. Julius was kind to Paul and let him visit his friends so they could care for him.

4And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

We sailed from there and went along the sheltered side of the island of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.

5And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

We sailed across the open sea off the coasts of Cilicia and Pamphylia. Then we came to Myra, a city in Lycia.

6And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

There the officer found a ship from Alexandria that was sailing to Italy, and he put us on board.

7And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;

We sailed slowly for many days and barely reached a point near Cnidus. The wind held us back, so we sailed along the sheltered side of Crete, near Salmone.

8And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

We moved along the coast with great difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

9Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

By now a lot of time had passed, and sailing had become dangerous, because the yearly Fast was already over. So Paul warned them.

10And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

He said, "Men, I can see that this voyage will bring disaster and heavy loss. We will lose the cargo and the ship, and our lives too."

11Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

But the officer listened to the ship's pilot and its owner instead of listening to Paul.

12And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

The harbor was a poor place to spend the winter, so most of them decided to sail on. They hoped to reach Phoenix, a harbor in Crete that faces southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

13And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

A gentle south wind began to blow, and they thought they had what they wanted. So they pulled up the anchor and sailed close along the coast of Crete.

14But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

But it was not long before a violent wind called the Northeaster swept down from the island.

15And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

The ship was caught by the wind and could not turn to face it. So we gave up and let the wind carry us along.

16And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

We passed the sheltered side of a small island called Cauda. There we barely managed to pull in the ship's small boat.

17Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

After they hauled it up, the crew wrapped ropes around the ship's hull to hold it together. They were afraid of running into the sandbars of Syrtis, so they lowered the sea anchor and let the wind drive them.

18And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

The storm tossed us so violently that the next day the crew began throwing the cargo overboard.

19And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

On the third day, they threw the ship's ropes and gear into the sea with their own hands.

20And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

For many days we saw neither sun nor stars, and the great storm kept beating on us. At last we gave up all hope of being saved.

21But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

The men had gone a long time without food. Paul stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not sailed from Crete. Then you would have avoided this damage and loss.

22And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.

But now I urge you to keep up your courage. Not one of you will lose his life. Only the ship will be lost.

23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

Last night an angel stood beside me. He came from the God I belong to and the God I serve.

24Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

The angel said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar. And God has spared the lives of everyone sailing with you.'

25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

So take courage, men. I trust God, and it will happen just as He told me.

26Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

But we are going to be driven onto some island."

27But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

On the fourteenth night the storm was still driving us across the Adriatic Sea. Around midnight the sailors sensed that land was near.

28And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

They dropped a weighted line and found the water was twenty fathoms deep. A little farther on they measured again and found fifteen fathoms.

29Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

They were afraid we would crash on the rocks. So they dropped four anchors from the back of the ship and waited eagerly for daylight.

30And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

The sailors tried to escape from the ship. They lowered the small boat into the sea, pretending they were putting out anchors from the front.

31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

Paul said to the officer and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved."

32Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

So the soldiers cut the ropes holding the small boat and let it fall away.

33And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

Just before daylight, Paul urged them all to eat. He said, "For fourteen days now you have waited and gone without food. You have eaten nothing.

34Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

Please eat something. You need it to stay alive. Not one hair will be lost from the head of any of you."

35And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

After he said this, he took some bread and thanked God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.

36Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

That gave them all courage, and they ate some food too.

37And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

There were 276 of us on the ship in all.

38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

When they had eaten all they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea.

39And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

When day came, they did not recognize the land. But they saw a bay with a beach, and they decided to run the ship onto it if they could.

40And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

They cut the anchors loose and left them in the sea. They untied the ropes that held the steering oars, raised the front sail to the wind, and headed for the beach.

41And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The front stuck fast and would not move, while the pounding waves broke the back of the ship apart.

42And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape.

43But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

But the officer wanted to save Paul's life, so he stopped them. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.

44And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

The rest were to follow on planks and on pieces of the broken ship. And so everyone reached land safely.

1And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

Once we were safe on land, we learned that the island was called Malta.

2And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

The people who lived there were very kind to us. It was raining and cold, so they built a fire and welcomed every one of us.

3And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Paul gathered a bundle of sticks. As he laid them on the fire, a poisonous snake came out from the heat and bit onto his hand.

4And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

The islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand. They said to each other, "This man must be a murderer. He lived through the sea, but Justice has not let him live."

5And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

But Paul shook the snake off into the fire, and he was not hurt at all.

6Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

They waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. After a long wait, when nothing happened to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

7In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

Nearby was land owned by Publius, the chief man of the island. He took us in and treated us kindly for three days.

8And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

The father of Publius was in bed, sick with a fever and with bad diarrhea. Paul went in to him, prayed, put his hands on him, and healed him.

9So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

After this happened, the other sick people on the island came to Paul, and they were healed too.

10Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

They honored us in many ways. When we were ready to sail, they gave us the supplies we needed.

11And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

After three months we left on a ship from Alexandria that had spent the winter at the island. Its carved figure was the Twin Brothers, Castor and Pollux.

12And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

We stopped at Syracuse and stayed there three days.

13And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

From there we sailed a curving course and came to Rhegium. The next day a south wind came up, and the day after that we reached Puteoli.

14Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

There we found fellow believers, who asked us to stay a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

15And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

The believers in Rome heard we were coming. They walked out to meet us at the Forum of Appius and at the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and felt braver.

16And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

When we came to Rome, the officer handed the prisoners over to the captain of the guard. But Paul was allowed to live by himself, with one soldier guarding him.

17And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

Three days later Paul called the Jewish leaders together. When they came, he said, "Brothers, I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers. Even so, I was made a prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

18Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

They questioned me and wanted to let me go, because I had done nothing that deserved a death sentence.

19But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

But some of the Jewish leaders spoke against that. So I had no choice but to ask for a trial before Caesar. I am not accusing my own nation of anything.

20For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

That is why I asked to see you and talk with you. I am wearing this chain because of the hope of Israel."

21And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

They said to him, "We have not received any letters about you from Judea. No one who came from there has reported or said anything bad about you.

22But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

But we would like to hear what you think. We know that people everywhere speak against this group."

23And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

So they set a day, and many came to the place where he was staying. From morning until evening he explained the kingdom of God to them. He used the law of Moses and the prophets to show them who Jesus is.

24And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

Some believed what he said, and some did not.

25And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

They could not agree with each other, and they began to leave. Before they went, Paul said one last thing: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your fathers through the prophet Isaiah.

26Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

He said, 'Go to this people and tell them: You will hear and hear, but never understand. You will look and look, but never really see.

27For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

For this people's hearts have grown hard. Their ears barely hear. They have shut their eyes. If they had not, they would see, hear, and understand, and they would turn to me, and I would heal them.'

28Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

So I want you to know this: God's rescue has been sent to people who are not Jews, and they will listen."

29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

When he had said this, the Jewish leaders left, arguing hard among themselves.

30And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

Paul stayed two whole years in a house he rented, and he welcomed everyone who came to see him.

31Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

He preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. He spoke boldly, and no one stopped him.

1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

This letter is from Paul. I belong to Jesus Christ as his servant. God called me to be an apostle and set me apart to carry his good news.

2(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

God promised this good news long ago, through his prophets, in the holy writings.

3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

It is about his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who as a human being was born into King David's family line.

4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

And who was shown to be the Son of God with great power, by the Spirit of holiness, when God raised him from the dead.

5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Through him God gave me a gift I never earned and a job to do: to bring people of every nation to trust and obey him, for the honor of his name.

6Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

You in Rome are among those people. Jesus Christ has called you too.

7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am writing to everyone in Rome whom God loves and has called to be his own. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you kindness and peace.

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for every one of you, because people all over the world are talking about how much you trust him.

9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

God knows I am telling the truth. I serve him with my whole heart by telling the good news about his Son, and I mention you every single time I pray.

10Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

I keep asking that somehow, finally, God will let me have a smooth trip and come to see you.

11For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

I really want to see you, so I can share some gift from the Spirit with you and leave you stronger.

12That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

What I mean is that we would encourage each other. Your trust in God would help me, and mine would help you.

13Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

Brothers and sisters, I want you to know that I have planned to come to you many times, but until now I have been stopped. I wanted to see something good come from my work among you, the way it has among other people who are not Jewish.

14I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

I owe a debt to everyone: to Greeks and to foreigners, to the educated and to the uneducated.

15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

So I am eager to tell the good news to you in Rome as well.

1Now 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:

Now I, Paul, make my own appeal to you, in the gentle and kind manner of Christ. People say I am humble when I am with you, but bold when I am far away.

2But 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 beg you: do not make me be as bold as I expect to be with those who claim we live by ordinary human motives.

3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

We do live in human bodies. But we do not fight our battles the way the world fights.

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

The weapons we fight with are not the world's weapons. They have God's power to tear down enemy strongholds.

5Casting 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;

We tear down arguments and every proud idea that stands against the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.

6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

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

7Do 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.

You are judging by how things look on the outside. If anyone is sure he belongs to Christ, he should remember that we belong to Christ just as much.

8For 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:

The Lord gave us authority to build you up, not to tear you down. So even if I brag about it a little too much, I will not be ashamed.

9That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

I do not want to seem like someone trying to frighten you with his letters.

10For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

Some people say, "His letters are heavy and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speaking is worth nothing."

11Let 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.

People who say that should understand this: what we are in our letters when away, we will be in our actions when present.

12For 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 do not dare put ourselves in the same class as people who praise themselves. They measure themselves by themselves, and that shows they do not understand.

13But 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 will not brag beyond our limits. We stay inside the work God assigned to us, and that work reaches all the way to you.

14For 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 are not stretching too far, as if we had never reached you. We were the first to come to you with the good news about Christ.

15Not 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 do not brag about work other people did. We hope that as your faith grows, our work among you will grow much larger too,

16To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.

so that we can preach the good news in the regions beyond you. Then we will not be bragging about work already done in someone else's area.

17But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

But as the Scripture says, "Anyone who brags should brag about the Lord."

18For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

The person who praises himself is not the one who is approved. The one the Lord praises is approved.