16 [a]I say again, Let no man think that I am foolish, or else take me even as a fool, that I also may boast myself a little.

17 That I speak, I speak it not after the Lord: but as it were foolishly, in this my great boasting.

18 Seeing that many rejoice after [the] flesh, I will rejoice also.

19 For ye suffer fools gladly, because that ye are wise.

20 [b]For ye suffer, even if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take your goods, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

21 I speak as concerning the [c]reproach: as though that we had been [d]weak: but wherein any man is bold (I speak foolishly) I am bold also.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 11:16 He goeth forward boldly, and using a vehement Irony of kind of taunting, desireth the Corinthians to pardon him, if for a time he contend as a fool before them being wise, with those jolly fellows touching those eternal things, to wit, touching his stock, his ancestors and valiant acts.
  2. 2 Corinthians 11:20 Before he cometh to the matter, he toucheth the Corinthians, who persuading themselves to very wise men, did not mark in the mean season that those false apostles abused their simplicity for advantage.
  3. 2 Corinthians 11:21 As if he said, in respect of that reproach which they do unto you (I speak it) which surely is as evil as if they did beat you.
  4. 2 Corinthians 11:21 Paul is called weak, in that he seemeth to the Corinthians a vile and abject man, a beggarly artificer, a most wretched and miserable idiot, whereas notwithstanding therein God’s mighty power was made manifest.

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