5But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things.

6I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way.

7Was I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return?

8I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost.

9And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be.

10As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece11:10 Greek Achaia, the southern region of the Greek peninsula. will ever stop me from boasting about this.

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

12But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours.

13These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.

14But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

15So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

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

23Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.

24Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.

25Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.

26I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.11:26 Greek from false brothers.

27I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

28Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.

29Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?

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

31God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying.

32When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me.

33I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.