2 Corinthians 11:16–30

Paul’s Sufferings for Christ

16 I repeat: No one should consider me a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool, so I too may boast a little. 17 What I say in this matter l of boasting, I don’t speak as the Lord would, but foolishly. 18 Since many boast in an unspiritual way, m I will also boast. 19 For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools! n 20 In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours o you, if someone captures you, if someone dominates you, or if someone hits p you in the face. 21 I say this to our shame: We have been weak.

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

22 Are they Hebrews? q So am I.

Are they Israelites? So am I.

Are they the * seed of Abraham? r So am I.

23 Are they servants of Christ?

I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one:

with far more labors,

many more imprisonments,

far worse beatings, near death s many times.

24 Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews. t

25 Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans. u

Once I was stoned by my enemies. v w

Three times I was shipwrecked. x

I have spent a night and a day

in the open sea.

26 On frequent journeys, I faced

dangers from rivers,

dangers from robbers, y

dangers from my own people, z

dangers from the Gentiles,

dangers in the city,

dangers in the open country,

dangers on the sea,

and dangers among false * brothers;

27 labor and hardship,

many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst,

often without food, cold, and lacking clothing. a

28 Not to mention b other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to * stumble, c and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses.