2 Corinthians 11:16-33

16I repeat then, let no one think that I am foolish; but even if you do, at least accept me as foolish, so that I too may boast a little.

17What I say in this confident boasting, I say not as the Lord would [with His authority], but foolishly.

18Since many boast [of worldly things and brag] about human accomplishments, I will boast too.

19For you, being so wise, gladly tolerate and accept the foolish [like me]!

20For you tolerate it if anyone makes you his slave; or devours you and your possessions; or takes advantage of you; or acts presumptuously; or hits you in the face.

21To 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.

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

23Are they [self-proclaimed] servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if I were out of my mind—I am more so [for I exceed them]; with far more labors, with far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, and often in danger of death.

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

25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift on the sea;

26many times on journeys, [exposed to] danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own countrymen, danger from the Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger on the sea, danger among those posing as believers;

27in labor and hardship, often unable to sleep, in hunger and thirst, often [driven to] fasting [for lack of food], in cold and exposure [without adequate clothing].

28Besides those external things, there is the daily [inescapable] pressure of my concern for all the churches.

29Who is weak, and I do not feel [his] weakness? Who is made to sin, and I am not on fire [with sorrow and concern]?

30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that reveal my weakness [the things by which I am made weak in the eyes of my opponents].

31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed and to be praised forevermore, knows that I am not lying.

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

33and I was [actually] let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and slipped through his fingers.