6. But I hope you will recognize and know that we are not disapproved on trial and rejected.
7. But I pray to God that you may do nothing wrong, not in order that we [our teaching] may appear to be approved, but that you may continue doing right, [though] we may seem to have failed and be unapproved.
8. For we can do nothing against the Truth [not serve any party or personal interest], but only for the Truth [which is the Gospel].
9. For we are glad when we are weak (unapproved) and you are really strong. And this we also pray for: your all-round strengthening and perfecting of soul.
10. So I write these things while I am absent from you, that when I come to you, I may not have to deal sharply in my use of the authority which the Lord has given me [to be employed, however] for building [you] up and not for tearing [you] down.