¹² I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.^(A)

¹⁸ I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles^(A) to obey God^(B) by what I have said and done— ¹⁹ by the power of signs and wonders,^(C) through the power of the Spirit of God.^(D) So from Jerusalem^(E) all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.^(F)

² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;^(A) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.^(B) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience^(C) in the sight of God.

⁶ I may indeed be untrained as a speaker,^(A) but I do have knowledge.^(B) We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.

⁴ For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached,^(A) or if you receive a different spirit^(B) from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel^(C) from the one you accepted, you put up with it^(D) easily enough.

⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments^(A) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;^{(B) 6} in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit^(C) and in sincere love;^{(D) 7} in truthful speech^(E) and in the power of God;^(F) with weapons of righteousness^(G) in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor,^(H) bad report^(I) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;^{(J) 9} known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,^(K) and yet we live on;^(L) beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;^(M) poor, yet making many rich;^(N) having nothing,^(O) and yet possessing everything.^(P)

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

9 Am I not free?^(A) Am I not an apostle?^(B) Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?^(C) Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?^{(D) 2} Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal^(E) of my apostleship in the Lord.

⁵ For in him you have been enriched^(A) in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge^(B)— ⁶ God thus confirming our testimony^(C) about Christ among you. ⁷ Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift^(D) as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.^(E)