Fools for Christ’s Sake

⁶ Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be ^[a]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. ⁷ For who ^[b]makes you differ from another? And ^(A)what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

⁸ You are already full! ^(B)You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! ⁹ For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a ^(C)spectacle ^[c]to the world, both to angels and to men. ¹⁰ We are ^(D)fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! ^(E)We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! ¹¹ To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. ^12 (F)And we labor, working with our own hands. ^(G)Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; ¹³ being defamed, we ^[d]entreat. ^(H)We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

¹² But what I do, I will also continue to do, ^(A)that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. ¹³ For such ^(B)are false apostles, ^(C)deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into ^(D)an angel of light. ¹⁵ Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, ^(E)whose end will be according to their works.

¹⁹ For you put up with fools gladly, ^(A)since you yourselves are wise! ²⁰ For you put up with it ^(B)if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. ²¹ To our shame ^(C)I say that we were too weak for that! But ^(D)in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.