Paul Defends His Apostleship

1 I could wish that you would tolerate a little folly in me! But indeed you do tolerate me.

1 I wish that you would (A)bear with me in a little (B)foolishness; but (a)indeed you are bearing with me.

1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

1 I wish you would put up with a little foolishness(A) from me. Yes, do put up with me.(a)

1 I wish you would tolerate a little of my foolishness. Yes, please tolerate me!

2 I am jealous over you with the jealousy of God. For I betrothed you to one husband, that I might present you to the Christ a pure bride.

2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I (C)betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might (D)present you as a pure virgin.

2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

2 For I am jealous(B) over you with a godly jealousy,(C) because I have promised you in marriage to one husband—to present a pure(D) virgin to Christ.

2 I am jealous of you with God's own jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to the Messiah.

3 Yet I fear that it may turn out that, just as the Serpent by his craftiness deceived Eve, so your minds may have lost the loyalty and purity due from you to the Christ.

3 But I am afraid that, as the (E)serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

3 But I fear that, as the serpent(E) deceived(F) Eve(G) by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a complete and pure(b) devotion to Christ.(H)

3 However, I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by its tricks, so your minds may somehow be lured away from sincere and pure devotion to the Messiah.

4 For, if some new-comer is proclaiming a Jesus other than him whom we proclaimed, or if you are receiving a Spirit different from the Spirit which you received, or a Good News different from that which you welcomed, then you are marvelously tolerant!

4 For if (b)one comes and preaches (F)another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a (G)different spirit which you have not received, or a (H)different gospel which you have not accepted, you (I)bear this (J)beautifully.

4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

4 For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus,(I) whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit,(J) which you had not received, or a different gospel,(K) which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!

4 For if someone comes along and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or should you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you are all too willing to listen.

5 I do not regard myself as in any way inferior to the most eminent Apostles!

5 For I consider myself (K)not in the least inferior to the (c)most eminent apostles.

5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

5 Now I consider myself in no way inferior to the “super-apostles.”(L)

5 I do not think I'm inferior in any way to those "super-apostles."

6 Though I am no trained orator, yet I am not without knowledge; indeed we made this perfectly clear to you in every way.

6 But even if I am (L)unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in (M)knowledge; in fact, in every way we have (N)made this evident to you in all things.

6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

6 Though untrained in public speaking,(M) I am certainly not untrained in knowledge.(N) Indeed, we have always made that clear to you in everything.

6 Even though I may be untrained as an orator, I am not so in the field of knowledge. We have made this clear to all of you in every possible way.

7 Perhaps you say that I did wrong in humbling myself that you might be exalted--I mean because I told you God's Good News without payment.

7 Or (O)did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the (P)gospel of God to you (Q)without charge?

7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

7 Or did I commit a sin by humbling(O) myself so that you might be exalted,(P) because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?(Q)

7 Did I commit a sin when I humbled myself by proclaiming to you the gospel of God free of charge, so that you could be exalted?

8 I robbed other churches by taking pay from them, so that I might serve you!

8 I robbed other churches by (R)taking wages from them to serve you;

8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

8 I robbed other churches by taking pay from them to minister to you.

8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you.

9 And, when I was with you in need, I did not become a burden to any of you; for our Brothers, on coming from Macedonia, supplied my needs. I kept myself, and will keep myself from being an expense to you in any way.

9 and when I was present with you and was in need, I was (S)not a burden to anyone; for when (T)the brethren came from (U)Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from (V)being a burden to you, (d)and will continue to do so.

9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

9 When I was present with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia(R) supplied my needs.(S) I have kept myself, and will keep myself, from burdening you in any way.

9 When I was with you and needed something, I did not bother any of you, because our brothers who came from Macedonia supplied everything I needed. I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.

10 As surely as I know anything of the Truth of Christ, this boast, as far as I am concerned, shall not be stopped in any part of Greece.

10 (W)As the truth of Christ is in me, (X)this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of (Y)Achaia.

10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped(c) in the regions of Achaia.(T)

10 As surely as the truth of the Messiah is in me, my boasting will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.

11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows that I do!

11 Why? (Z)Because I do not love you? (AA)God knows I do!

11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.

11 Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows I do!

11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows that I do!

12 What I am doing now I shall continue to do, that I may cut away the ground from under those who are wishing for some ground for attacking me, so that as regards the thing of which they boast they may appear in their true characters, just as we do.

12 But what I am doing I will continue to do, (AB)so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be (e)regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.

12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

12 But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny(d) the opportunity of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as our equals in what they boast about.

12 But I will go on doing what I'm doing in order to deny an opportunity to those people who want an opportunity to be recognized as our equals in the work they are boasting about.

13 Men of this stamp are false apostles, treacherous workers, disguising themselves as Apostles of Christ!

13 For such men are (AC)false apostles, (AD)deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

13 For such people are false apostles,(U) deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

13 Such people are false apostles, dishonest workers who are masquerading as apostles of the Messiah.

14 And no wonder; for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of Light.

14 No wonder, for even (AE)Satan disguises himself as an (AF)angel of light.

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

14 And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

14 And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

15 It is not surprising, therefore, if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of Righteousness. But their end will be in accordance with their actions.

15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, (AG)whose end will be according to their deeds.

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

15 So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny(e) will be according to their works.(V)

15 So it is not surprising if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their doom will match their deeds!

Paul Boasts In His Sufferings

16 I say again--Let no one think me a fool! Yet, if you do, at least welcome me as you would a fool, that I, too may indulge in a little boasting.

16 (AH)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.

16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

16 I repeat: No one should consider me a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool, so I too may boast a little.

16 I will say it again: No one should think that I am a fool. But if you do, then treat me like a fool so that I can also boast a little.

17 When I speak thus, I am not speaking as the Master would, but as a fool might, in boasting so confidently.

17 What I am saying, I am not saying (f)(AI)as the Lord would, but as (AJ)in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.

17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

17 What I say in this matter(f) of boasting, I don’t speak as the Lord would, but foolishly.

17 When I talk as a confident boaster, I am not talking with the Lord's authority but like a fool.

18 As so many are boasting of earthly things, I, too, will boast.

18 Since (AK)many boast (AL)according to the flesh, I will boast also.

18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

18 Since many boast in an unspiritual way,(g) I will also boast.

18 Since many people boast in a fleshly way, I will do it, too.

19 For all your cleverness, you tolerate fools willingly enough!

19 For you, (AM)being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly.

19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.

19 For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools!(W)

19 You are wise, so you will gladly be tolerant of fools.

20 You tolerate a man even when he enslaves you, when he plunders you, when he gets you into his power, when he puts on airs of superiority, when he strikes you in the face!

20 For you tolerate it if anyone (AN)enslaves you, anyone (AO)devours you, anyone (AP)takes advantage of you, anyone (AQ)exalts himself, anyone (AR)hits you in the face.

20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

20 In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours(X) you, if someone captures you, if someone dominates you, or if someone hits(Y) you in the face.

20 You tolerate anyone who makes you his slaves, devours what you have, takes what is yours, orders you around, or slaps your face!

21 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!

21 To my (AS)shame I must say that we have been (AT)weak by comparison.But in whatever respect anyone else (AU)is bold—I (AV)speak in foolishness—I am just as bold myself.

21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

21 I say this to our shame: We have been weak.But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am talking foolishly—I also dare:

21 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.

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I! Are they Israelites? So am I! Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I!

22 Are they (AW)Hebrews? (AX)So am I. Are they (AY)Israelites? (AZ)So am I. Are they (g)(BA)descendants of Abraham? (BB)So am I.

22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

22 Are they Hebrews?(Z) So am I.Are they Israelites? So am I.Are they the seed of Abraham?(AA) So am I.

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelis? So am I. Are they among Abraham's descendants? So am I.

23 Are they 'Servants of Christ'? Though it is madness to talk like this, I am more so than they! I have had more of toil, more of imprisonment! I have been flogged times without number. I have been often at death's door.

23 Are they (BC)servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in (h)(BD)far more labors, in (i)(BE)far more imprisonments, (j)(BF)beaten times without number, often in (BG)danger of death.

23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

23 Are they servants of Christ?I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one:with far more labors,many more imprisonments,far worse beatings, near death(h) many times.

23 Are they the Messiah's servants? I am insane to talk like this, but I am a far better one! I have been involved in far greater efforts, far more imprisonments, countless beatings, and have faced death more than once.

24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews forty lashes, all but one.

24 Five times I received from the Jews (BH)thirty-nine lashes.

24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

24 Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews.(AB)

24 Five times I received from the Jews 40 lashes minus one.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a whole day and night in the deep.

25 Three times I was (BI)beaten with rods, once I was (BJ)stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.

25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

25 Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans.(AC)Once I was stoned by my enemies.(i)(AD)Three times I was shipwrecked.(AE)I have spent a night and a dayin the open sea.

25 Three times I was beaten with a stick, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, and I drifted on the sea for a day and a night.

26 My journeys have been many. I have been through dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in towns, dangers in the country, dangers on the sea, dangers among false Brothers.

26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my (BK)countrymen, dangers from the (BL)Gentiles, dangers in the (BM)city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among (BN)false brethren;

26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

26 On frequent journeys, I faceddangers from rivers,dangers from robbers,(AF)dangers from my own people,(AG)dangers from the Gentiles,dangers in the city,dangers in the open country,dangers on the sea,and dangers among false brothers;

26 I have traveled extensively and have been endangered from rivers, robbers, my own people, and gentiles. I've also been in danger in the city, in the open country, at sea, from false brothers,

27 I have been through toil and hardship. I have passed many a sleepless night; I have endured hunger and thirst; I have often been without food; I have known cold and nakedness.

27 I have been in (BO)labor and hardship, (k)through many sleepless nights, in (BP)hunger and thirst, often (BQ)without food, in cold and (l)(BR)exposure.

27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

27 labor and hardship,many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst,often without food, cold, and lacking clothing.(AH)

27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, through hunger, thirst, many periods of fasting, coldness, and nakedness.

28 And, not to speak of other things, there is my daily burden of anxiety about all the Churches.

28 Apart from such (m)external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for (BS)all the churches.

28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

28 Not to mention(j) other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches.

28 Besides everything else, I have a daily burden because of my anxiety about all the churches.

29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led astray without my burning with indignation?

29 Who is (BT)weak without my being weak? Who is (n)led into sin (o)without my intense concern?

29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble,(AI) and I do not burn with indignation?

29 Who is weak without me being weak, too? Who is caused to stumble without me becoming indignant?

30 If I must boast, I will boast of things which show my weakness!

30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my (BU)weakness.

30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

30 If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses.

30 If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show how weak I am.

31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus--he who is for ever blessed--knows that I am speaking the truth.

31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, (BV)He who is blessed forever, (BW)knows that I am not lying.

31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

31 The God and Father(AJ) of the Lord Jesus, who is praised forever, knows I am not lying.

31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.

32 When I was in Damascus, the Governor under King Aretas had the gates of that city guarded, so as to arrest me,

32 In (BX)Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was (BY)guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me,

32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

32 In Damascus,(AK) the governor under King Aretas(k) guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me,

32 In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas put guards around the city of Damascus to catch me,

33 But I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.

33 and I was let down in a basket (BZ)through a window (p)in the wall, and so escaped his hands.

33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

33 so I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.(AL)

33 but I was let down in a basket through an opening in the wall and escaped from him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

King James Version Public Domain

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org