2 Corinthians 13:10

⁸ For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

⁹ For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

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.

¹¹ Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

¹² Greet one another with an 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 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:
Read in context
2 Corinthians 2:3
And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
Read in context
Titus 1:13
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Read in context
1 Corinthians 4:21
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
Read in context
2 Corinthians 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.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 13:8
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 13:2
I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
Read in context
2 Corinthians 12:20–21
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
Read in context