| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1I wish you would put up with a little foolishness from me. Yes, do put up with me. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy, because I have promised you in marriage to one husband--to present a pure virgin to Christ. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3But I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a complete and pure devotion to Christ. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, which you had not received, or a different gospel, which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly! |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5Now I consider myself in no way inferior to the "super-apostles." |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Though untrained in public speaking, I am certainly not untrained in knowledge. Indeed, we have always made that clear to you in everything. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8I robbed other churches by taking pay from them to minister to you. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9When I was present with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have kept myself, and will keep myself, from burdening you in any way. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Why? Because I don't love you? God knows I do! |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny the opportunity of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as our equals in what they boast about. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16I 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[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17What I say in this matter of boasting, I don't speak as the Lord would, but foolishly. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18Since many boast in an unspiritual way, I will also boast. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools! |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours you, if someone captures you, if someone dominates you, or if someone hits you in the face. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21I say this to our shame: We have been weak. But in whatever anyone dares to boast--I am talking foolishly--I also dare: |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23Are 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 many times. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans. Once I was stoned by my enemies. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers; |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing. |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches. |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses. |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is praised forever, knows I am not lying. |
| 32[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 32In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me, |
| 33[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 33so I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands. |
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