¹¹ Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord,^(A) we seek to persuade people. We are completely open before God, and I hope we are completely open to your consciences as well. ¹² We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in the outward appearance^[a] rather than in the heart.

¹⁴ For if I have made any boast to him about you, I have not been embarrassed; but as I have spoken everything to you in truth,^(A) so our boasting to Titus has also turned out to be the truth.