Translations
That is why I am writing all this while I am still away — so that when I arrive I will not have to be harsh, wielding the authority the Lord gave me to build you up, not to demolish you.
This is why I write these things while absent — so that when present I need not act with sharp severity, according to the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
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 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.

