¹² We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,^(A) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,^(B) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.

3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves^(A) again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation^(B) to you or from you?

¹⁴ as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.^(A)

¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh^(A) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.^(B) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted^(C) for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,^(D) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.^{(E) 14} May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(F) through which^[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.^(G)

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,^(A) deceitful^(B) workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.^{(C) 14} And no wonder, for Satan^(D) 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.^(E)

Paul Boasts About His Sufferings

¹⁶ I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool.^(F) But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting.