⁵ I don’t think I’m inferior in any way to your super-apostles. ⁶ Even though I’m not good with words, I know what I’m talking about. Timothy and I have made this clear to you in every possible way.

⁷ Did I commit a sin when I humbled myself by telling you the Good News of God free of charge so that you could become important? ⁸ I robbed other churches by taking pay from them to serve you. ⁹ When I was with you and needed something, I didn’t bother any of you for help. My friends from the province of Macedonia supplied everything I needed. I kept myself from being a financial burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do that.

¹⁰ As surely as I have Christ’s truth, my bragging will not be silenced anywhere in Greece. ¹¹ Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do love you. ¹² But I’ll go on doing what I’m doing. This will take away the opportunity of those people who want to brag because they think they’re like us. ¹³ People who brag like this are false apostles. They are dishonest workers, since they disguise themselves as Christ’s apostles. ¹⁴ And no wonder, even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ So it’s not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants who have God’s approval. In the end they will get what they deserve.