³ And ^(A)I was with you ^(B)in weakness and in fear and much trembling,

⁴ For ^(A)he was crucified in weakness, but ^(B)lives by the power of God. For ^(C)we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you ^(D)we will live with him by the power of God.

^10 (A)We are fools for Christ's sake, but ^(B)you are wise in Christ. ^(C)We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. ¹¹ To the present hour ^(D)we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and ^(E)buffeted and ^(F)homeless, ¹² and we ^(G)labor, working with our own hands. ^(H)When reviled, we bless; ^(I)when persecuted, we endure; ¹³ when slandered, we entreat. ^(J)We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, ^(K)the refuse of all things.

¹³ You know it was ^(A)because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you ^(B)at first, ¹⁴ and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me ^(C)as an angel of God, ^(D)as Christ Jesus.

⁹ For we are glad when ^(A)we are weak and you are strong. Your ^(B)restoration is what we pray for.

⁵ On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, ^(A)except of my weaknesses— ⁶ though if I should wish to boast, ^(B)I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. ⁷ So ^(C)to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,^{[a] (D)}a thorn was given me in the flesh, ^(E)a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. ^8 (F)Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. ⁹ But he said to me, ^(G)“My grace is sufficient for you, for ^(H)my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that ^(I)the power of Christ may rest upon me. ^10 (J)For the sake of Christ, then, ^(K)I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For ^(L)when I am weak, then I am strong.

^29 (A)Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

^30 (B)If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

¹⁰ For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but ^(A)his bodily presence is weak, and ^(B)his speech of no account.”

Paul Defends His Ministry

10 ^(A)I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the ^(B)meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—