21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak(A) for that!

Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.(B) 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I.(C) Are they Israelites? So am I.(D) Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.(E) 23 Are they servants of Christ?(F) (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,(G) been in prison more frequently,(H) been flogged more severely,(I) and been exposed to death again and again.(J) 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes(K) minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods,(L) once I was pelted with stones,(M) three times I was shipwrecked,(N) I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews,(O) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,(P) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.(Q) 27 I have labored and toiled(R) and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;(S) I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.(T) 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?(U) Who is led into sin,(V) and I do not inwardly burn?

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21 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!

But whatever anyone dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that.(A) 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.(B) 23 Are they ministers of Christ? I am talking like a madman—I am a better one: with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless floggings, and often near death.(C) 24 Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.(D) 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea;(E) 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters;(F) 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food,[a] cold and naked.(G) 28 And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I am not indignant?(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 11.27 Gk with frequent fasting