2 Corinthians 11:16-29

New American Standard Bible

^16 (A)Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little. ¹⁷ What I am saying, I am not saying ^[a](B)as the Lord would, but as ^(C)in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. ¹⁸ Since ^(D)many boast ^(E)according to the flesh, I will boast also. ¹⁹ For you, ^(F)being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. ²⁰ For you tolerate it if anyone ^(G)enslaves you, if anyone ^(H)devours you, if anyone ^(I)takes advantage of you, if anyone ^(J)exalts himself, if anyone ^(K)hits you in the face. ²¹ To my ^(L)shame I must say that we have been ^(M)weak by comparison.

But in whatever respect anyone else ^(N)is bold—I am ^(O)speaking in foolishness—I too am bold. ²² Are they ^(P)Hebrews? ^(Q)So am I. Are they ^(R)Israelites? ^(S)So am I. Are they ^[b](T)descendants of Abraham? ^(U)So am I. ²³ Are they ^(V)servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in ^(W)far more labors, in ^(X)far more imprisonments, ^[c](Y)beaten times without number, often in danger of ^(Z)death. ²⁴ Five times I received from the Jews ^(AA)thirty-nine lashes. ²⁵ Three times I was ^(AB)beaten with rods, once I was ^(AC)stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. ²⁶ I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my ^(AD)countrymen, dangers from the ^(AE)Gentiles, dangers in the ^(AF)city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among ^(AG)false brothers; ²⁷ I have been in ^(AH)labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in ^(AI)hunger and thirst, often ^(AJ)without food, in cold and ^[d](AK)exposure. ²⁸ Apart from such ^[e]external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for ^(AL)all the churches. ²⁹ Who is ^(AM)weak without my being weak? Who is ^[f]led into sin ^[g]without my intense concern?