Chapter 12 — Ye are superior to me.

2May I enjoy you in all respects, if indeed I be worthy! For though I am bound, I am not worthy to be compared to any of you that are at liberty.

3I know that ye are not puffed up, for ye have Jesus Christ in yourselves.

4And all the more when I commend you, I know that ye cherish modesty of spirit; as it is written, "The righteous man is his own accuser".

5May I enjoy you in all respects, if indeed I be worthy! For though I am bound, I am not worthy to be compared to one of you that are at liberty.

6I know that ye are not puffed up, for ye have Jesus in yourselves.

7And all the more when I commend you, I know that ye cherish modesty of spirit; as it is written, "The righteous man is his own accuser;" and again, "Declare thou first thine iniquities, that thou mayest be justified;" and again, "When ye shall have done all things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants;" "for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God".

8For says the Scripture, "God be merciful to me a sinner".

9Therefore those great ones, Abraham and Job, styled themselves "dust and ashes before God.

10And David says, "Who am I before Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast glorified me hitherto?" And Moses, who was "the meekest of all men," saith to God, "I am of a feeble voice, and of a slow tongue".

11Be ye therefore also of a humble spirit, that ye may be exalted; for "he that abaseth himself shall be exalted, and he that exalteth himself shall be abased".