Paul’s Hardships

³ We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,^(A) so that our ministry will not be discredited. ⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments^(B) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;^{(C) 6} in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit^(D) and in sincere love;^{(E) 7} in truthful speech^(F) and in the power of God;^(G) with weapons of righteousness^(H) in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor,^(I) bad report^(J) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;^{(K) 9} known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,^(L) and yet we live on;^(M) beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;^(N) poor, yet making many rich;^(O) having nothing,^(P) and yet possessing everything.^(Q)

²⁴ Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes^(A) minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods,^(B) once I was pelted with stones,^(C) three times I was shipwrecked,^(D) I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews,^(E) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,^(F) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.^{(G) 27} I have labored and toiled^(H) and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;^(I) I have been cold and naked. ²⁸ Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.^{(J) 29} Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?^(K) Who is led into sin,^(L) and I do not inwardly burn?

³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast^(M) of the things that show my weakness.^{(N) 31} The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever,^(O) knows^(P) that I am not lying.