³ I came to you^(A) in weakness^(B) with great fear and trembling.^(C)

⁴ For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness,^(A) yet he lives by God’s power.^(B) Likewise, we are weak^(C) in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him^(D) in our dealing with you.

¹⁰ We are fools for Christ,^(A) but you are so wise in Christ!^(B) We are weak, but you are strong!^(C) You are honored, we are dishonored! ¹¹ To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.^{(D) 12} We work hard with our own hands.^(E) When we are cursed, we bless;^(F) when we are persecuted,^(G) we endure it; ¹³ when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage^(H) of the world—right up to this moment.

⁹ We are glad whenever we are weak^(A) but you are strong;^(B) and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.^(C)

⁵ I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.^{(A) 6} Even if I should choose to boast,^(B) I would not be a fool,^(C) because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, ⁷ or because of these surpassingly great revelations.^(D) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,^(E) a messenger of Satan,^(F) to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.^{(G) 9} But he said to me, “My grace^(H) is sufficient for you, for my power^(I) is made perfect in weakness.^(J)”^(K) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight^(L) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,^(M) in persecutions,^(N) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.^(O)

¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness^(A) that I first preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴ and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.^(B)

¹⁰ For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive^(A) and his speaking amounts to nothing.”^(B)

Paul’s Defense of His Ministry

10 By the humility and gentleness^(A) of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul,^(B) who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!

⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;