Reluctant Boasting

¹⁶ I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little. ¹⁷ What I speak, ^(A)I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. ¹⁸ Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. ¹⁹ For you put up with fools gladly, ^(B)since you yourselves are wise! ²⁰ For you put up with it ^(C)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 ^(D)I say that we were too weak for that! But ^(E)in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.

Suffering for Christ

²² Are they ^(F)Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. ²³ Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: ^(G)in labors more abundant, ^(H)in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, ^(I)in deaths often. ²⁴ From the Jews five times I received ^(J)forty ^(K)stripes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was ^(L)beaten with rods; ^(M)once I was stoned; three times I ^(N)was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁶ in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, ^(O)in perils of my own countrymen, ^(P)in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷ in weariness and toil, ^(Q)in sleeplessness often, ^(R)in hunger and thirst, in ^(S)fastings often, in cold and nakedness— ²⁸ besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: ^(T)my deep concern for all the churches. ^29 (U)Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

³⁰ If I must boast, ^(V)I will boast in the things which concern my ^[a]infirmity. ^31 (W)The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(X)who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. ^32 (Y)In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; ³³ but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

Comfort in Suffering

^3 (A)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who ^(B)comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any ^[a]trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

The Philippian Jailer Saved

²⁵ But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

^11 (A)In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to ^(B)the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those ^(A)who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom ^(B)He foreknew, ^(C)He also predestined ^(D)to be conformed to the image of His Son, ^(E)that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also ^(F)called; whom He called, these He also ^(G)justified; and whom He justified, these He also ^(H)glorified.

God’s Everlasting Love

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? ^(I)If God is for us, who can be against us? ^32 (J)He who did not spare His own Son, but ^(K)delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? ^(L)It is God who justifies. ^34 (M)Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, ^(N)who is even at the right hand of God, ^(O)who also makes intercession for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

^37 (Q)Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor ^(R)principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

^6 (A)In this you greatly rejoice, though now ^(B)for a little while, if need be, ^(C)you have been ^[a]grieved by various trials, ⁷ that ^(D)the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though ^(E)it is tested by fire, ^(F)may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,