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