Paul’s Sufferings as an Apostle

¹⁶ I repeat, let no one think me foolish; but even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. ¹⁷ (What I am saying I say not with the Lord’s authority but as a fool, in this boastful confidence; ¹⁸ since many boast of worldly things, I too will boast.) ¹⁹ For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! ²⁰ For you bear it if a man makes slaves of you, or preys upon you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. ²¹ To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!

But whatever any one dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that.