1 I wish you⁺ were bearing with me in a little foolishness, but you⁺ also bear with me.10 The truth of Christ is in me, that this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.11 Because of what? Because I do not love you⁺? God knows [I do]!12 But what I do, I also will do, so that I might cut off the opportunity of those wanting an opportunity that in what they boast they might be found according as also we.13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.14 And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light.15 Therefore [it is] not great if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.16 Again I say, no one should think me to be a fool; but if otherwise, receive me even as a fool, that I also may boast a little.17 What I am speaking, I am not speaking according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.19 For gladly you⁺ bear with fools—being wise!2 For I am jealous [as to] you⁺ with the jealousy of God. For I betrothed you⁺ to one husband, to present a pure virgin to Christ.20 For you⁺ bear with [it] if anyone enslaves you⁺, if anyone devours [you], if anyone takes [from you], if anyone lifts himself up, if anyone strikes you⁺ in the face.21 I speak as to dishonor, as that we have been weak! But in that which anyone may dare—I speak in foolishness—I also dare.22 Are they Hebrews? I also. Are they Israelites? I also. Are they seed of Abraham? I also.23 Are they servants of Christ? I speak as being beside myself—I [too] above measure: in labors more abundantly, in imprisonments more abundantly, in beatings surpassingly, in deaths often.24 Five times I received from the Jews forty [lashes] minus one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I have passed a night and a day in the deep;26 in journeyings often, in dangers of rivers, in dangers of robbers; in dangers from kindred, in dangers from the Gentiles; in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness; in dangers in the sea, in dangers among false brothers;27 in labor and toil, in sleepless [nights] often; in hunger and thirst, in fastings often; in cold and nakedness.28 Apart from the external things, the crowding on me on every day [is] the care of all the churches.29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I am not burned?3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, your⁺ minds might be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that [is] to Christ.30 If it is necessary to boast, I will boast [in] the things of my weakness.31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, the One being blessed to the ages, knows that I am not lying.32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of the Damascenes to seize me.33 But I was let down in a basket through a window through the wall, and I escaped his hands.4 For if indeed the one coming proclaims another Jesus whom we did not proclaim, or you⁺ receive a different spirit that you⁺ did not receive, or a different gospel that you⁺ did not accept, you⁺ bear with [it] well.5 For I reckon in nothing to have been lacking [to] the “most eminent apostles.”6 But even if [I am] unskilled in word, yet not in knowledge; but in every [way], we were made manifest to you⁺ in all things.7 Or did I commit a sin, humbling myself so that you⁺ might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you⁺ freely?8 I robbed other churches, having received support for ministry to you⁺.9 And being present with you⁺ and having been in need, I burdened no one; for the brothers having come from Macedonia supplied my need, and in everything I kept and will keep myself unburdensome to you⁺.