2 Corinthians 11:8-33 ▼

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?.

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!

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?

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.