²¹ To my shame I admit that we were too weak^(A) for that!

Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.^(B)

¹⁰ For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive^(A) and his speaking amounts to nothing.”^(B)

¹⁷ In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would,^(A) but as a fool.^(B)

Paul’s Defense of His Ministry

10 By the humility and gentleness^(A) of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul,^(B) who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! ² I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold^(C) as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.^(D)

³ For it is we who are the circumcision,^(A) we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,^(B) and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence.^(C)

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised^(D) on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,^(E) of the tribe of Benjamin,^(F) a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;^{(G) 6} as for zeal,^(H) persecuting the church;^(I) as for righteousness based on the law,^(J) faultless.

¹⁰ This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh^(A) in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.^(B)

²² Are they Hebrews? So am I.^(A) Are they Israelites? So am I.^(B) Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.^{(C) 23} Are they servants of Christ?^(D) (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,^(E) been in prison more frequently,^(F) been flogged more severely,^(G) and been exposed to death again and again.^{(H) 24} Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes^(I) minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods,^(J) once I was pelted with stones,^(K) three times I was shipwrecked,^(L) I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews,^(M) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,^(N) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.^{(O) 27} I have labored and toiled^(P) and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;^(Q) I have been cold and naked.