Paul’s Sufferings for Christ

16 I repeat: Let no one consider me a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool so that I can also boast a little. 17 What I am saying in this matter[a] of boasting, I don’t speak as the Lord would, but as it were, foolishly. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I will also boast. 19 For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools!(A) 20 In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone exploits(B) you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone is arrogant toward you, if someone slaps(C) you in the face. 21 I say this to our shame: We have been too weak for that!

But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am talking foolishly—I also dare:

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Footnotes

  1. 11:17 Or business, or confidence

16 (A)Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little. 17 What I am saying, I am not saying [a](B)as the Lord would, but as (C)in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Since (D)many boast (E)according to the flesh, I will boast also. 19 For you, (F)being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. 20 For you tolerate it if anyone (G)enslaves you, if anyone (H)devours you, if anyone (I)takes advantage of you, if anyone (J)exalts himself, if anyone (K)hits you in the face. 21 To my (L)shame I must say that we have been (M)weak by comparison.

But in whatever respect anyone else (N)is bold—I am (O)speaking in foolishness—I too am bold.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 11:17 Lit in accordance with the Lord