⁷ Was it a sin^(A) for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God^(B) to you free of charge?^{(C) 8} I robbed other churches by receiving support from them^(D) so as to serve you. ⁹ And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed.^(E) I have kept myself from being a burden to you^(F) in any way, and will continue to do so. ¹⁰ As surely as the truth of Christ is in me,^(G) nobody in the regions of Achaia^(H) will stop this boasting^(I) of mine. ¹¹ Why? Because I do not love you? God knows^(J) I do!^(K)

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,^(L) deceitful^(M) workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.^{(N) 14} And no wonder, for Satan^(O) 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.^(P)

Paul Boasts About His Sufferings

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

Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.^{(AA) 22} Are they Hebrews? So am I.^(AB) Are they Israelites? So am I.^(AC) Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.^{(AD) 23} Are they servants of Christ?^(AE) (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,^(AF) been in prison more frequently,^(AG) been flogged more severely,^(AH) and been exposed to death again and again.^{(AI) 24} Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes^(AJ) minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods,^(AK) once I was pelted with stones,^(AL) three times I was shipwrecked,^(AM) 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,^(AN) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,^(AO) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.^{(AP) 27} I have labored and toiled^(AQ) and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;^(AR) I have been cold and naked. ²⁸ Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.^{(AS) 29} Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?^(AT) Who is led into sin,^(AU) and I do not inwardly burn?