16 I tell you again, Let no one think I am a fool. But if you think I am a fool, then accept me as a fool. Then I too will be able to boast a little.
2 Corinthians 11:16

17 I boast because I am confident. But I am not speaking as the Lord can speak. I brag like a fool.
2 Corinthians 11:17

18 Many people in the world brag about their lives. That is why I will brag.
2 Corinthians 11:18

19 You are wise, so you will gladly take care of fools.
2 Corinthians 11:19

20 I know that you will be patient, because you are humble even to the one who makes you do wrong and uses you. You deal patiently with people who cheat on you, or who think they are better than you, or slap you.
2 Corinthians 11:20

21 It is a shame for me to say this, but we were too “weak” to do such things with you. I’m talking like a fool.
2 Corinthians 11:21

22 Are they Hebrews? Are they Israelites? Am I an Israelite? Are they from Abraham’s family? So am i
2 Corinthians 11:22

23 Are they serving Christ? I am serving him more than they are (I am suffering who is talking like this) I have done more work than those people. Many times I was in prison. I too have suffered many beatings. Many times I was very close to death.
2 Corinthians 11:23

24 The Jews punished me five times with 39 lashes.
2 Corinthians 11:24

25 At three different times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was in ships that wrecked, and on one of those occasions I spent a night and a day at sea.
2 Corinthians 11:25

26 I have undertaken many short journeys. I was threatened by rivers, bandits, my allies, and non-Jews. I was in danger in the cities and in places where no one lives, and even at sea. And I am also in danger with those who say they are brothers but are not really brothers.
2 Corinthians 11:26

27 I have also done hard and tiring work. I went to sleep many times. I felt hungry and thirsty. Most of the time I didn’t have food to eat. I am cold without clothes.
2 Corinthians 11:27

28 And there are many other problems. One of these is caring for all my churches. I worry about them every day.
2 Corinthians 11:28

29 When someone else is weak, I also feel weak. When someone is tempted to sin, I also get upset.
2 Corinthians 11:29

30 If I only boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
2 Corinthians 11:30

31 God knows I am not lying. He is the Father and God of the Lord Jesus Christ, and should be praised forever.
2 Corinthians 11:31

32 While I was in Damascus, the governor of King Aritas wanted to arrest me. So he set up guards all over the city.
2 Corinthians 11:32

33 But some friends put me in a basket. Then they let me down through a window in the middle of the wall. So I escaped the governor.
2 Corinthians 11:33