Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 you put up with someone, [even] if he enslaves you [i.e., exercises control over your life]; [even] if he takes [unfair] advantage of you; [even] if he acts superior toward you; and [even] if he slaps you in the face. 21 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. 22 Are they [i.e., Paul's opponents there in Corinth] Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
Cross References
2 Corinthians 10:10
For some people are saying, "Paul's letters are heavy and severe, but in person he is [physically?] weak and his speaking ability is unimpressive."
2 Corinthians 10:1-2
Now I Paul, who am humble [when speaking] face to face with you, but bold when I am away from you, urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ [Note: This means either Paul was imitating Christ's behavior or that the Corinthians were to do so]:
2 Corinthians 11:17
What I am saying in this boastful [show of] confidence is not what the Lord would [say], but is [just plain] "foolishness."
2 Corinthians 11:22-27
Are they [i.e., Paul's opponents there in Corinth] Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
2 Corinthians 13:10
This is the reason I am writing these things while away from you, so that I will not have to deal severely with you when I am there. For the Lord gave me authority to build people up [spiritually] and not to tear them down.
Philippians 3:3-6
For we [Christians] are the [true] circumcision [i.e., the real "Jews" in God's eyes. See Rom. 2:28-29]. We worship by means of God's Holy Spirit [i.e., are empowered and motivated by the Holy Spirit], and boast in [the person and work of] Christ Jesus, and [we] place no confidence in the flesh [i.e., in any outward ritual or status for salvation].