2 Corinthians 13:10

⁸ For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

⁹ In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection.

This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

¹¹ Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

¹² Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
KJV: Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
WEB: For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
ASV: For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.
DARBY: On this account I write these things being absent, that being present I may not use severity according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for overthrowing.
BLB: Because of this, I write these things being absent, so that being present I should not treat [you] severely according to the authority that the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

ÅB: Derfor skriver jeg dette i mitt fravær, for at jeg ikke under mitt nærvær skal fare strengt fram etter den autoriteten som Herren har gitt meg for å bygge opp, ikke for å bryte ned.
OTB: Av denne grunn skriver jeg disse tingene mens jeg er fraværende, slik at når jeg er til stede, trenger jeg ikke å være streng, i tråd med den autoritet som Herren ga meg for å bygge opp, og ikke for å rive ned.
B1930: Derfor skriver jeg dette i mitt fravær, forat jeg ikke under mitt nærvær skal fare strengt frem efter den makt som Herren har gitt mig til å opbygge og ikke til å nedbryte.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

2 Corinthians 10:8
For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 2:3
I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be saddened by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy.
Read in context
Titus 1:13
This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith
Read in context
1 Corinthians 4:21
Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
Read in context
2 Corinthians 10:2
I beg you that when I come I may not need to be as bold as I expect toward those who presume that we live according to the flesh.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 13:8
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 13:2
I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,
Read in context
2 Corinthians 12:20–21
For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
Read in context