12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.s When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us,t a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as youu with the gospel of Christ.v 15 Neither do we go beyond our limitsw by boasting of work done by others.x Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow,y our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospelz in the regions beyond you.a For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. 17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”b b 18 For it is not the one who commends himselfc who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.d