Parallel Verses
A Conservative Version
I speak as from shame, that we were so weak. Yet in whatever any man may be bold in foolishness, I say I too am bold.
New American Standard Bible
To my
King James Version
I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
Holman Bible
I say this to our shame: We have been weak.
But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am talking foolishly—I also dare:
International Standard Version
I am ashamed to admit it, but we have been too weak for that. Whatever anyone else dares to claim I am talking like a fool I can claim it, too.
American Standard Version
I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.
Amplified
To my shame, I must say, we have been too weak [in comparison to those pseudo-apostles who take advantage of you].But in whatever anyone else dares to boast—I am speaking foolishly—I also dare to boast.
An Understandable Version
I am ashamed to say that we were [too] weak to do such things. [Note: Paul is probably saying, sarcastically, "We are too 'weak' to take financial advantage of people and mistreat them the way those 'super apostles' there in Corinth were doing"]. Yet, in whatever [matters] anyone [there] dares to boast about, (now I am really speaking foolishly), I will dare to boast also.
Anderson New Testament
I speak of their reproaches, as if we were weak. In what ever matter any one is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I also am bold.
Bible in Basic English
I say this by way of shaming ourselves, as if we had been feeble. But if anyone puts himself forward (I am talking like a foolish person), I will do the same.
Common New Testament
To my shame, I must say that we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast aboutI am speaking as a foolI also dare to boast about.
Daniel Mace New Testament
as if I was inferior to them. but whatever they pretend to, (I must be so vain) I pretend to the like.
Darby Translation
I speak as to dishonour, as though we had been weak; but wherein any one is daring, (I speak in folly,) I also am daring.
Godbey New Testament
I speak according to disparagement, as that we are weak; but in whatsoever any one is bold, (I speak it in folly,) I am bold also.
Goodspeed New Testament
To my shame I must admit that I was too weak for that sort of thing. But whatever anyone else dares to boast of?? am playing the part of a fool?? will dare to boast of too.
John Wesley New Testament
I speak with regard to reproach, as though we had been weak: whereas in whatever any is confident, (I speak as a fool) I am confident also.
Julia Smith Translation
I speak according to dishonour, as that we were weak. And in what any dares, (I speak in rashness,) I dare also.
King James 2000
I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. But in whatsoever way any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
Lexham Expanded Bible
I say [this] to [my] shame, namely, that we have been weak. But in whatever anyone dares to [boast]--I am speaking in foolishness--I also dare to [boast].
Modern King James verseion
I speak according to dishonor, as though we have been weak. But in whatever anyone dares (I speak foolishly), I also dare.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
I speak as concerning rebuke, as though we had been weak. Howbeit, whereinsoever any man dare be bold - I speak foolishly - I dare be bold also.
Moffatt New Testament
I am quite ashamed to say I was not equal to that sort of thing! But let them vaunt as they please, I am equal to them (mind, this is the role of a fool!).
Montgomery New Testament
I say that I was weak, and yet for whatever reason any one is bold (I speak in mere folly) I too am bold.
NET Bible
(To my disgrace I must say that we were too weak for that!) But whatever anyone else dares to boast about (I am speaking foolishly), I also dare to boast about the same thing.
New Heart English Bible
I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet however any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.
Noyes New Testament
I say it to my reproach, that we were weak; but in whatever any one is bold, (I speak in folly,) I am bold also.
Sawyer New Testament
I speak of reproach as if we were weak; wherein any one is bold, I speak foolishly, I am bold also.
The Emphasized Bible
By way of disparagement, am I speaking, - as though, we, had been weak! whereas, in whatsoever anyone dareth, in foolishness I speak, I also, dare: -
Thomas Haweis New Testament
I speak with reference to the reproach [cast on me], as though we were feeble; but wherein any man is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.
Twentieth Century New Testament
I admit, to my shame, that we have been weak. But whatever the subject on which others are not afraid to boast--though it is foolish to say so--I am not afraid either!
Webster
I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. But in whatever respect any is bold, (I speak foolishly) I am bold also.
Weymouth New Testament
I use the language of self-disparagement, as though I were admitting our own feebleness. Yet for whatever reason any one is 'courageous' --I speak in mere folly--I also am courageous.
Williams New Testament
I am ashamed to say that I was, as it were, so weak in the matter. And yet in whatever respect anyone else is daring to boast -- I am talking like a fool -- I too will dare to boast.
World English Bible
I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet however any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.
Worrell New Testament
I speak by way of dishonor, as though we were weak; but in whatever anyone is bold (I speak in foolishness), I also am bold.
Worsley New Testament
I speak of their reproaches, as if we were weak: but whereinsoever any one may be confident (though I speak foolishly) I may be confident too.
Youngs Literal Translation
in reference to dishonour I speak, how that we were weak, and in whatever any one is bold -- in foolishness I say it -- I also am bold.
Interlinear
Astheneo
De
Hos
Word Count of 37 Translations in 2 Corinthians 11:21
Verse Info
Context Readings
Paul Boasts In His Sufferings
20 For ye tolerate it if some man enslaves you, if some man devours you, if some man seizes you, if some man lifts himself up, if some man strikes you on the face. 21 I speak as from shame, that we were so weak. Yet in whatever any man may be bold in foolishness, I say I too am bold. 22 Are they Hebrews? I too. Are they Israelites? I too. Are they a seed of Abraham? I too.
Cross References
2 Corinthians 10:10
Because, The letters, he says, are indeed weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is disdained.
2 Corinthians 10:1-2
Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who indeed am lowly in presence among you, but am bold toward you when absent.
2 Corinthians 11:17
What I speak, I speak not according to Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of the boast.
2 Corinthians 11:22-27
Are they Hebrews? I too. Are they Israelites? I too. Are they a seed of Abraham? I too.
2 Corinthians 13:10
Because of this I write these things while absent, so that I may not act harshly when present, according to the authority that the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
Philippians 3:3-6
For we are the circumcision, men who worship in spirit to God, and who boast in Christ Jesus, and not being confident in flesh.