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.
This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority — the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
Διὰ τοῦτο ταῦτα ἀπὼν γράφω, ἵνα παρὼν μὴ ἀποτόμως χρήσωμαι, κατὰ τὴν ἐξουσίαν ἣν ἔδωκέν μοι ὁ Κύριος εἰς οἰκοδομήν, καὶ οὐκ εἰς καθαίρεσιν.
Dia toyto tayta apōn graphō, ina parōn mē apotomōs chrēsōmai, kata tēn exoysian ēn edōken moi o Kyrios eis oikodomēn, kai oyk eis kathairesin.
