2 COR 1:12 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that we conducted ourselves in the world in holiness[fn] and sincerity of God, and not in fleshly wisdom, but in the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

Instead of holiness, some ancient manuscripts read sincerity.

UST We are proud that we can honestly say that we have behaved toward all people in a holy and sincere way, as God has enabled us to do. We do not behave in the way that unbelievers think is wise. Instead, God graciously guides us, especially as we interact with you.

BSB For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in [the] holiness and sincerity that [are from] God—not in worldly[fn] wisdom, but in [the] grace of God.

MSB For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in [the] integrity[fn] and sincerity [that are from] God—not in worldly[fn] wisdom, but in [the] grace of God.

1:12 SBL, TH, and WH holiness

1:12 Literally fleshly

BLB For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you, in the purity and sincerity of God, and not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God.

AICNT For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity of God, [and][fn] not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

1:12, and: NA28[] ‖ Absent from some manuscripts. SBLGNT THGNT BYZ TR

OEB Indeed, our main ground for satisfaction is this – Our conscience tells us that our conduct in the world, and still more in our relations with you, was marked by a purity of motive and a sincerity that were inspired by God, and was based, not on worldly policy, but on the help of God.

WEBBE For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly towards you.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For our reason for confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that with pure motives and sincerity which are from God – not by human wisdom but by the grace of God – we conducted ourselves in the world, and all the more toward you.

LSV For our glorying is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom, but in the grace of God, we conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you;

FBV We take pride in the fact—and our conscience confirms it—that we have acted properly towards people, and especially to you. We have followed God's principles of holiness and sincerity, not according to worldly wisdom but through the grace of God.

TCNT Now this is the reason for our confidence: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with [fn]integrity and godly sincerity, not by worldly wisdom, but by the grace of God.

1:12 integrity 94.3% ¦ holiness SBL TH WH 4.5%

T4T I am happy to say that I have behaved toward all people [MTY] in an honest and sincere way. My conscience assures me that this is true. Especially, I have behaved toward you honestly and sincerely because that is what God wants us to do. As I have done that, my thoughts have not been the thoughts that unbelieving people [MTY] think are wise. Instead, I have behaved toward people only as God wants me to, depending on God to help me in ways that I do not deserve.

LEB ¶ For our reason for boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, in holiness[fn] and purity of motive from God, not[fn] in merely human wisdom, but by the grace of God.

1:12 Some manuscripts have “sincerity”

1:12 Some manuscripts have “and not”

BBE For our glory is in this, in the knowledge which we have that our way of life in the world, and most of all in relation to you, has been holy and true in the eyes of God; not in the wisdom of the flesh, but in the grace of God.

Moff My proud boast is the testimony of my conscience that holiness and godly sincerity, not worldly cunning but the grace of God, have marked my conduct in the outside world and in particular my relations with you.

Wymth For the reason for our boasting is this—the testimony of our own conscience that it was in holiness and with pure motives before God, and in reliance not on worldly wisdom but on the gracious help of God, that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and above all in our relations with you.

ASV For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

DRA For our glory is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity of heart and sincerity of God, and not in carnal wisdom, but in the grace of God, we have conversed in this world: and more abundantly towards you.

YLT For our glorying is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom, but in the grace of God, we did conduct ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you;

Drby For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity before [fn]God, (not in fleshly wisdom but in [fn]God's grace,) we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly towards you.

1.12 Elohim

RV For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

SLT For our boasting is this, the testimony of our consciousness, that in simplicity and purity of God, not in fleshly wisdom, but in the grace of God, we turned back in the world, and more eminently to you.

Wbstr For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our manner of life in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

KJB-1769 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

KJB-1611 For our reioycing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicitie and godly sinceritie, not with fleshly wisedome, but by the grace of God, wee haue had our conuersation in the world, and more aboundantly to youwards.
(For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sinceritie, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to youwards.)

Bshps For our reioycyng is this, the testimonie of our conscience, that in simplicitie & godly purenesse, and not in fleshely wisdome, but by the grace of God, we haue had our conuersatio in the worlde, and most of all to you wardes.
(For our reioycing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly pureness, and not in fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversatio in the world, and most of all to you wards.)

Gnva For our reioycing is this, the testimonie of our conscience, that in simplicitie and godly purenesse, and not in fleshly wisedome, but by the grace of God wee haue had our conuersation in the worlde, and most of all to you wardes.
(For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly pureness, and not in fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world, and most of all to you wards. )

Cvdl For oure reioysinge is this, euen the testimony of oure conscience, that in synglenes & godly purenesse, not in fleshlye wyssdome, but in the grace of God, we haue had oure conuersacion in the worlde, but most of all with you.
(For our rejoicinge is this, even the testimony of our conscience, that in synglenes and godly pureness, not in fleshlye wisdom, but in the grace of God, we have had our conversacion in the world, but most of all with you.)

TNT Oure reioysynge is this the testimony of oure conscience that in synglenes and godly purenes and not in flesshly wysdome but by the grace of God we have had oure conuersacion in the worlde and most of all to you wardes.
(Our reioysing is this the testimony of our conscience that in synglenes and godly pureness and not in flesshly wisdom but by the grace of God we have had our conversacion in the world and most of all to you wards. )

Wycl For oure glorie is this, the witnessyng of oure conscience, that in symplenesse and clennesse of God, and not in fleischli wisdom, but in the grace of God, we lyueden in this world, but more plenteuousli to you.
(For our glory is this, the witnessing of our conscience, that in simpleness and clenness of God, and not in fleshly wisdom, but in the grace of God, we lived in this world, but more plenteous/plentifully to you.)

Luth Denn unser Ruhm ist der, nämlich das Zeugnis unsers Gewissens, daß wir in Einfältigkeit und göttlicher Lauterkeit, nicht in fleischlicher Weisheit, sondern in der Gnade Gottes auf der Welt gewandelt haben, allermeist aber bei euch.
(Because our fame is the/of_the_(one), namely the transcript ours consciences, that we/us in Einfältigkeit and divine purity/integrity, not in fleshly/carnal wise_(people), rather in the/of_the grace God’s on/in/to the/of_the world changed have, allmeist but at/in you.)

ClVg Nam gloria nostra hæc est: testimonium conscientiæ nostræ, quod in simplicitate cordis et sinceritate Dei, et non in sapientia carnali, sed in gratia Dei, conversati sumus in hoc mundo: abundantius autem ad vos.[fn]
(For/Surely glory our these_things it_is: testimony conscience our, that in/into/on simplicity of_the_heart and sinceritate of_God, and not/no in/into/on wisdom carnal, but in/into/on grace of_God, conversati we_are in/into/on this to_the_world: abundantius however to you(pl). )

1.12 Nam gloria nostra. Ideo et vos et alii debetis orare pro nobis Vel ideo orationes vestræ poterunt nos juvare: quia hoc unde gloriamur tam honestum est, scilicet: Testimonium. Sunt bona opera, quæ testantur exterius quid sit in conscientia, Testimonium, id est conscientia non remordens, sed testificans, quod in simplicitate, etc. Sinceritate Dei. Sicut impiis est magna pœna conscientia, ita piis gaudium. Non quasi inde superbe gloriantibus, sed Deo totum dantibus; ideo recte non ait: Gloria nostra est testimonium alienæ malitiæ vel minoris gratiæ, sed conscientiæ nostræ. Quæ quia occulta, non est subjecta alieno judicio, et ideo nullus præsumat contra eam vel cogitare, vel proferre sententiam. Non in carnali sapientia. Carnalis sapientiæ est voluptates diligere, labores vitare, vel secundum naturas rerum et non contra, prædicare, ut pseudo faciebant quorum fucatam prædicationem arguit

1.12 For/Surely glory our. Therefore/For_that_reason and you(pl) and others you_must to_pray for us Or therefore/for_that_reason prayers yours they_will_be_able us yuvare: because this from_where/who gloryur tam honestum it_is, namely: Testimony. They_are good(s) works, which testantur outside what be in/into/on conscience, Testimony, that it_is conscience not/no remordens, but testificans, that in/into/on simplicity, etc. Sinceritate of_God. Like wicked it_is big punishment conscience, so/thus piis joy. Not/No as_if therefore/from_there superbe gloryntibus, but to_God whole dantibus; therefore/for_that_reason correctly/straight not/no he_said: Glory our it_is testimony foreign of_malice or minors thanks, but conscience our. Which because hidden, not/no it_is subjects foreigner judgement, and therefore/for_that_reason none presume on_the_contrary her or to_think, or to_bring_forth opinion. Not/No in/into/on carnal wisdom. Carnalis of_wisdom it_is pleasures to_love, with_hard_works avoid, or after/second naturas things and not/no contra, to_preach, as pseudo they_were_doing whose fucatam preaching argues

UGNT ἡ γὰρ καύχησις ἡμῶν αὕτη ἐστίν: τὸ μαρτύριον τῆς συνειδήσεως ἡμῶν, ὅτι ἐν ἁγιότητι καὶ εἰλικρινείᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ σαρκικῇ, ἀλλ’ ἐν χάριτι Θεοῦ, ἀνεστράφημεν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, περισσοτέρως δὲ πρὸς ὑμᾶς.
(haʸ gar kauⱪaʸsis haʸmōn hautaʸ estin: to marturion taʸs suneidaʸseōs haʸmōn, hoti en hagiotaʸti kai eilikrineia tou Theou, kai ouk en sofia sarkikaʸ, all’ en ⱪariti Theou, anestrafaʸmen en tōi kosmōi, perissoterōs de pros humas.)

SBL-GNT Ἡ γὰρ καύχησις ἡμῶν αὕτη ἐστίν, τὸ μαρτύριον τῆς συνειδήσεως ἡμῶν, ὅτι ἐν ⸀ἁγιότητι καὶ εἰλικρινείᾳ ⸀τοῦ θεοῦ, ⸀οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ σαρκικῇ ἀλλʼ ἐν χάριτι θεοῦ, ἀνεστράφημεν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, περισσοτέρως δὲ πρὸς ὑμᾶς·
(Haʸ gar kauⱪaʸsis haʸmōn hautaʸ estin, to marturion taʸs suneidaʸseōs haʸmōn, hoti en ⸀hagiotaʸti kai eilikrineia ⸀tou theou, ⸀ouk en sofia sarkikaʸ allʼ en ⱪariti theou, anestrafaʸmen en tōi kosmōi, perissoterōs de pros humas;)

RP-GNT Ἡ γὰρ καύχησις ἡμῶν αὕτη ἐστίν, τὸ μαρτύριον τῆς συνειδήσεως ἡμῶν, ὅτι ἐν ἁπλότητι καὶ εἰλικρινείᾳ θεοῦ, οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ σαρκικῇ ἀλλ' ἐν χάριτι θεοῦ, ἀνεστράφημεν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, περισσοτέρως δὲ πρὸς ὑμᾶς.
(Haʸ gar kauⱪaʸsis haʸmōn hautaʸ estin, to marturion taʸs suneidaʸseōs haʸmōn, hoti en haplotaʸti kai eilikrineia theou, ouk en sofia sarkikaʸ all' en ⱪariti theou, anestrafaʸmen en tōi kosmōi, perissoterōs de pros humas.)

TC-GNT Ἡ γὰρ καύχησις ἡμῶν αὕτη ἐστί, τὸ μαρτύριον τῆς συνειδήσεως ἡμῶν, ὅτι ἐν [fn]ἁπλότητι καὶ [fn]εἰλικρινείᾳ [fn]Θεοῦ, [fn]οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ σαρκικῇ ἀλλ᾽ ἐν χάριτι Θεοῦ, ἀνεστράφημεν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, περισσοτέρως δὲ πρὸς ὑμᾶς.
(Haʸ gar kauⱪaʸsis haʸmōn hautaʸ esti, to marturion taʸs suneidaʸseōs haʸmōn, hoti en haplotaʸti kai eilikrineia Theou, ouk en sofia sarkikaʸ all en ⱪariti Theou, anestrafaʸmen en tōi kosmōi, perissoterōs de pros humas. )

1:12 απλοτητι 94.3% ¦ αγιοτητι SBL TH WH 4.5%

1:12 ειλικρινεια ¦ ειλικρινια WH

1:12 θεου ¦ του θεου CT

1:12 ουκ ¦ και ουκ NA WH

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:12–2:4: Paul’s change in plans

In this section Paul explained that he had earlier planned to visit the Corinthians two times, once on his way to the province of Macedonia and again on his way back from there (1:15–16). But he probably came earlier than planned and had a painful visit (2:1). After he returned to Ephesus, he wrote a painful letter (7:8–9). He then went to Macedonia via Troas (2:12–13) instead of via Corinth. The false teachers probably accused him of not being trustworthy because he had changed his plans. So Paul explained in these verses why he had changed his plans.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul’s Integrity (NASB)

Why Paul changed his plans (NJB)

Paul explained his change of plans

1:12a

And this is our boast:

¶ Indeed, our^(excl) boast is this:
¶ Now, one thing we are proud of is this,

And: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates here as And is often translated as “for” or “because.” But in this context, the conjunction introduces a new theme and only generally connects back to the previous theme. The GNT and NJB allow the context to indicate a new theme and omit this conjunction. The conjunction may emphasize the new theme. For example:

Indeed (NRSV)

There is one thing that… (NJB)

this is our boast: This clause indicates that the boast follows in 1:12b–g. Other ways to translate this clause are:

our boast is this (RSV)

There is one thing that we are proud of, namely (NJB)

boast: This word refers to praising someone or saying how good someone is. Paul used it in both a positive and a negative way. Here he used it in a positive way: to be happy about how he acted. God enabled him to live in a holy and sincere manner (1:12e).

1:12b

Our conscience testifies that

our conscience accurately/faithfully reports that
and our inner being truthfully asserts that

conscience: The Greek word that the BSB translates as conscience refers to the record of past deeds that a person has in his mind. Paul knew he did nothing wrong, so his conscience was clear and not troubled. Therefore his conscience testified that he had done nothing wrong. Other ways to translate this word are:

inner being

ways of thinking

convictions of the mind

testifies: This word means “report what one saw.” The word is often used where the person is expected to be truthful and accurate. Here Paul knew that his conscience accurately claimed he had done nothing wrong. His conscience was not deceiving him. Other ways to translate this word are:

faithfully reports

accurately/truthfully asserts

1:12c

we have conducted ourselves in the world,

everything we have done toward people,
whatever we did toward other people in the world,

we have conducted ourselves: Here the word conducted refers to the way they lived and the things they did. Other ways to translate this clause are:

we have behaved (RSV)

everything we have done (NCV)

in the world: Here the word world refers figuratively to the people of the world. Paul referred to people in general here and then to believers in 1:12d. The word does not imply that the people are evil here. For example:

towards everyone (NJB)

1:12d

and especially in relation to you,

and above all how we have behaved toward you^(plur),
and even more so whatever we did toward you,

especially: Paul and the others put special emphasis on doing the right things with the believers in Corinth. Other ways to translate this word are:

all the more (NET)

above all (REB)

in relation to you: The Greek phrase is literally “toward you” (as in the RSV). The phrase “we have conducted ourselves” (1:12c) is implied but not repeated here. For example:

when we were with you (CEV)

1:12e

in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—

was done in an honest and sincere way, which are attitudes from God.
God enabled us to do them openly and with true/straight motives.

the holiness and sincerity that are from God: The Greek phrase is literally “simplicity and sincerity of God.” There are two ways to interpret how the phrase “of God” connects to “simplicity and sincerity”:

It connects to both simplicity and sincerity. God is the source of both attitudes. For example:
God-given frankness and sincerity (GNT) (BSB, NIV, GNT, NABRE, NLT, GW, NET, NCV)
It connects only to sincerity. For example:
simplicity and godly sincerity (ESV) (RSV, NASB, ESV, REB, KJV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).Thrall (p. 128) and Harris (p. 183) translate according to interpretation (1). Barnett (p. 95) says, “Each is ‘of God,’ that is, true of God and issuing from God in the course of his service of God.”

the holiness and sincerity: There is a textual issue regarding the Greek word that the BSB translates as holiness here:

Some Greek manuscripts have the word that means simplicity or frankness. For example:
we have had an honest and sincere heart from God (NCV) (GNT, NRSV, NABRE, CEV, NET, ESV, NCV, KJV)
Other Greek manuscripts have the word that means holiness. For example:
with holiness and godly sincerity (RSV) (BSB, RSV, NIV, NJB, NASB, NLT, GW, REB)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), since the UBS Greek New Testament recommends it.

The Greek word refers to something being sincere or honest. Nothing is hidden. All that Paul and the others did was from good motives. Other ways to translate this word are:

openly

without hiding/withholding anything

sincerity: This word refers to having pure motives. Paul and the others did not do anything for selfish or wrong reasons. Other ways to translate this word are:

true/straight motives

for no evil reasons

that are from God: This phrase indicates that God caused Paul and the others to have the attitudes of openness and sincerity. For example:

God-given (GNT)

General Comment on 1:12c–e

1:12c–e in Greek has the manner (1:12e) before the main clause (1:12c) and the emphasized clause (1:12d). This order may be more natural in some languages. For example:

^12ein the openness and sincerity that are from God ^12cwe have conducted ourselves in the world, ^12dand especially in our relations with you.

In some languages it is more natural to have the manner clause after the main clause but before the emphasized clause. For example:

^12cwe have conducted ourselves in the world ^12ein the openness and sincerity that are from God. ^12dWe have conducted ourselves this way especially in our relationship with you.

1:12f–g

(reordered) We have done like that according to God’s grace and not according to worldly wisdom.

not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God: These phrases contrast worldly wisdom with the grace of God. The two are very different. In some languages it is more natural to have the positive saying first. For example:

according to God’s grace but/and not according to worldly wisdom

1:12f

not in worldly wisdom,

We^(excl) have not depended on human wisdom
We have not lived according to thoughts considered wise by people who do not follow God.

not in worldly wisdom: 1:12a–g is one sentence in the Greek and the BSB. But some translations divide the sentence by adding a phrase here to make reading and understanding easier. For example:

And we were guided by God’s wonderful kindness instead of by the wisdom of this world. (CEV)

We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. (NIV)

worldly wisdom: The word wisdom means “the ability to understand events and know the right action.” But in this context, the phrase worldly wisdom refers to the thoughts that seem wise to people who do not follow God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

thoughts considered wise by worldly people

worldly people’s so-called wise thoughts

Paul disliked and avoided using worldly wisdom. Your translation should not imply that worldly wisdom was a good thing that Paul chose not to use.

worldly: The Greek word that the BSB translates as worldly refers to wisdom that people discover without help from God. It implies that these people do not follow God. Other ways of translating this word are:

unspiritual

earthly (RSV)

our own human (NLT)

1:12g

but in the grace of God.

but we depended on God’s undeserved favor.
Instead, we lived according to God’s way of being kind to those who do not deserve it.

the grace of God: The word grace here refers to God being kind to those who do not deserve it. God does things for people because he wants to and not because they earned it. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

kindness from God

God’s help

God’s favor

voluntarily/graciously be kind

help as a gift/favor

See how you translated the word grace in 1:2.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἡμῶν & ἡμῶν & ἀνεστράφημεν

˱of˲_us & ˱of˲_us & ˱we˲_˓were˒_conducted

In these verses Paul uses the words our, we, and ourselves to refer to himself and Timothy and possibly others who serve with them. These words do not include the people to whom he is writing.

ἡ γὰρ καύχησις ἡμῶν αὕτη ἐστίν

the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡ Γάρ καύχησις ἡμῶν αὕτη ἐστίν τό μαρτύριον τῆς συνειδήσεως ἡμῶν ὅτι ἐν ἁγιότητι καί εἰλικρινείᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ καί οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ σαρκικῇ ἀλλʼ ἐν χάριτι Θεοῦ ἀνεστράφημεν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ περισσοτέρως δέ πρός ὑμᾶς)

Paul assumes that his readers will understand that the word boasting here is used in the positive sense of wanting to tell others your feelings of great satisfaction and joy in doing something well. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [This is something that we feel very good about]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

τὸ μαρτύριον τῆς συνειδήσεως ἡμῶν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡ Γάρ καύχησις ἡμῶν αὕτη ἐστίν τό μαρτύριον τῆς συνειδήσεως ἡμῶν ὅτι ἐν ἁγιότητι καί εἰλικρινείᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ καί οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ σαρκικῇ ἀλλʼ ἐν χάριτι Θεοῦ ἀνεστράφημεν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ περισσοτέρως δέ πρός ὑμᾶς)

Here, Paul speaks of his conscience as if it were a person who could testify. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Please note that this alternate translation does not need the comma after conscience. Alternate translation: [we know by our conscience]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τὸ μαρτύριον τῆς συνειδήσεως ἡμῶν

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of testimony and conscience, you could express the same ideas in another way. Please note that these alternate translations do not need the comma after conscience. Alternate translation: [our hearts tell us it is true] or [we are sure of it within ourselves]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / rpronouns

ἀνεστράφημεν

˱we˲_˓were˒_conducted

The phrase we conducted ourselves means that Paul and his companions controlled their own actions. Use a way that is natural in your language to indicate this idea. Alternate translation: [we acted] or [we comported ourselves]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ

in in in in the world

Paul is using the world to represent people who live in the world, that is, people in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [among everyone]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐν ἁγιότητι καὶ εἰλικρινείᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ

in holiness in in in (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἡ Γάρ καύχησις ἡμῶν αὕτη ἐστίν τό μαρτύριον τῆς συνειδήσεως ἡμῶν ὅτι ἐν ἁγιότητι καί εἰλικρινείᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ καί οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ σαρκικῇ ἀλλʼ ἐν χάριτι Θεοῦ ἀνεστράφημεν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ περισσοτέρως δέ πρός ὑμᾶς)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of holiness and sincerity, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: [as people whom God empowers to obey him and to be honest]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ σαρκικῇ

not in wisdom fleshly

Here, fleshly represents what is natural and human as opposed to what is spiritual and godly. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [not according to natural human wisdom]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ σαρκικῇ

not in wisdom fleshly

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of wisdom, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [not according to what people naturally think is wise]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐν χάριτι Θεοῦ

in in in grace ˱of˲_God

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of grace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [according to what God tells us to do because he loves us]

Parallel 2 COR 1:12