^5:11Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord,¹⁸ we try to persuade¹⁹ people,²⁰ but we are well known²¹ to God, and I hope we are well known to your consciences too. ^5:12We are not trying to commend²² ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us,²³ so that you may be able to answer those who take pride²⁴ in outward appearance²⁵ and not in what is in the heart.

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Footnotes

18 Or “because we know what it means to fear the Lord.”
19 The present tense of πείθομεν (peithomen) has been translated as a conative present.
20 Grk “men”; but ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is generic here since clearly both men and women are in view (Paul did not attempt to win only men to the gospel he preached).
21 Or “clearly evident.” φανερόω 2.b.β has “θεῷ πεφανερώμεθα we are well known to God 2 Cor 5:11a, cp. 11b; 11:6 v.l.”
22 The present tense of συνιστάνομεν (sunistanomen) has been translated as a conative present.
23 Or “to boast about us.”
24 Or “who boast.”
25 Or “in what is seen.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your consciences. 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 outward appearance rather than in the heart.

NLTNew Living Translation

Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, we are attempting to persuade people, but we are revealed to God, and I hope to be revealed in your consciences. We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to boast about us, in order that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

KJV 1900King James Version

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

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