2 Corinthians 6:3-13 - The Character Of Paul's Ministry

³ We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. ⁴ But as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything:

by great endurance, by afflictions,
by hardship, by difficulties,
⁵ by beatings, by imprisonments,
by riots, by labors,
by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,
⁶ by purity, by knowledge,
by patience, by kindness,
by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
⁷ by the message of truth,
by the power of God;
through weapons of righteousness
on the right hand and the left,
⁸ through glory and dishonor,
through slander and good report;
as deceivers yet true;
⁹ as unknown yet recognized;
as dying and look—we live;
as being disciplined yet not killed;
¹⁰ as grieving yet always rejoicing;
as poor yet enriching many;
as having nothing yet possessing everything.

¹¹ We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. ¹² You are not limited by us, but you are limited by your own affections. ¹³ I speak as to my children. As a proper response, you should also be open to us.