2 Corinthians 11:6-31

New International Version

⁶ I may indeed be untrained as a speaker,^(A) but I do have knowledge.^(B) We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. ⁷ Was it a sin^(C) for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God^(D) to you free of charge?^{(E) 8} I robbed other churches by receiving support from them^(F) so as to serve you. ⁹ And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed.^(G) I have kept myself from being a burden to you^(H) in any way, and will continue to do so. ¹⁰ As surely as the truth of Christ is in me,^(I) nobody in the regions of Achaia^(J) will stop this boasting^(K) of mine. ¹¹ Why? Because I do not love you? God knows^(L) I do!^(M)

¹² And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. ¹³ For such people are false apostles,^(N) deceitful^(O) workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.^{(P) 14} And no wonder, for Satan^(Q) himself masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.^(R)

Paul Boasts About His Sufferings

¹⁶ I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool.^(S) But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. ¹⁷ In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would,^(T) but as a fool.^{(U) 18} Since many are boasting in the way the world does,^(V) I too will boast.^{(W) 19} You gladly put up with^(X) fools since you are so wise!^{(Y) 20} In fact, you even put up with^(Z) anyone who enslaves you^(AA) or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. ²¹ To my shame I admit that we were too weak^(AB) for that!

Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.^{(AC) 22} Are they Hebrews? So am I.^(AD) Are they Israelites? So am I.^(AE) Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.^{(AF) 23} Are they servants of Christ?^(AG) (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,^(AH) been in prison more frequently,^(AI) been flogged more severely,^(AJ) and been exposed to death again and again.^{(AK) 24} Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes^(AL) minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods,^(AM) once I was pelted with stones,^(AN) three times I was shipwrecked,^(AO) I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews,^(AP) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,^(AQ) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.^{(AR) 27} I have labored and toiled^(AS) and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;^(AT) I have been cold and naked. ²⁸ Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.^{(AU) 29} Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?^(AV) Who is led into sin,^(AW) and I do not inwardly burn?

³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast^(AX) of the things that show my weakness.^{(AY) 31} The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever,^(AZ) knows^(BA) that I am not lying.