21 To my (A)shame I must say that we have been (B)weak by comparison.

But in whatever respect anyone else (C)is bold—I am (D)speaking in foolishness—I too am bold. 22 Are they (E)Hebrews? (F)So am I. Are they (G)Israelites? (H)So am I. Are they [a](I)descendants of Abraham? (J)So am I. 23 Are they (K)servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in (L)far more labors, in (M)far more imprisonments, [b](N)beaten times without number, often in danger of (O)death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews (P)thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was (Q)beaten with rods, once I was (R)stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my (S)countrymen, dangers from the (T)Gentiles, dangers in the (U)city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among (V)false brothers; 27 I have been in (W)labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in (X)hunger and thirst, often (Y)without food, in cold and [c](Z)exposure. 28 Apart from such [d]external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for (AA)all the churches. 29 Who is (AB)weak without my being weak? Who is [e]led into sin [f]without my intense concern?

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 11:22 Lit seed
  2. 2 Corinthians 11:23 Lit exceedingly in blows
  3. 2 Corinthians 11:27 Lit nakedness; i.e., lack of clothing
  4. 2 Corinthians 11:28 Or the things unmentioned
  5. 2 Corinthians 11:29 Lit made to stumble
  6. 2 Corinthians 11:29 Lit and I do not burn

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. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I have received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brethren; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

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