¹⁰ As surely as the truth of Christ is in me,^(A) nobody in the regions of Achaia^(B) will stop this boasting^(C) of mine. ¹¹ Why? Because I do not love you? God knows^(D) I do!^(E)

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,^(F) deceitful^(G) workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.^{(H) 14} And no wonder, for Satan^(I) 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.^(J)

Paul Boasts About His Sufferings

¹⁶ I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool.^(K) 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,^(L) but as a fool.^{(M) 18} Since many are boasting in the way the world does,^(N) I too will boast.^{(O) 19} You gladly put up with^(P) fools since you are so wise!^{(Q) 20} In fact, you even put up with^(R) anyone who enslaves you^(S) 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^(T) for that!

Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.^{(U) 22} Are they Hebrews? So am I.^(V) Are they Israelites? So am I.^(W) Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.^{(X) 23} Are they servants of Christ?^(Y) (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,^(Z) been in prison more frequently,^(AA) been flogged more severely,^(AB) and been exposed to death again and again.^(AC)