False apostles
I wish you would put up with a bit of foolishness from me. And in fact you do put up with me. Because I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. I have promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that, just as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds might be led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ. Because if someone comes along preaching another Jesus we didn't preach, or if you receive a different spirit you never received, or a different gospel you never accepted — you put up with him easily enough. But I reckon I am not one bit behind the very chiefest apostles. Even if I am no great speaker, I am not lacking in knowledge. We have made that plain to you in every way, in all things. Did I do wrong in humbling myself so you could be lifted up, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches, taking wages from them so I could serve you. And when I was with you and short of money, I wasn't a burden to anyone. The brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and I will keep on doing it. As the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia is going to stop me boasting about that. Why? Because I don't love you? God knows I do. But what I am doing I will go on doing, to cut the ground out from under those who want an opening to be regarded as our equals in what they boast about. Because men like that are false apostles, dishonest workmen, dressing themselves up as apostles of Christ. And no wonder — Satan himself dresses up as an angel of light. So it is no great thing if his servants also dress themselves up as servants of righteousness. Their end will match what they do.
I wish you'd put up with me a little in my foolishness. And truly do put up with me. Because I'm jealous over you with godly jealousy. Because I've promised you to one husband, so I can present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I'm frightened in case by any means, as the snake took Eve in through his craftiness, that's how your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that's in Christ. Because if one comes preaching another Jesus who we haven't preached, or if you get another spirit you haven't got, or another good news you haven't taken, you might well put up with him. Because I reckon I wasn't a bit behind the very chief apostles. But though I'm rough in speech, still I'm not in knowledge. But we've been thoroughly made plain among you in everything. Have I done wrong in bringing myself low so you could be lifted up, because I've preached the good news of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches, taking wages of them to do you service. And when I was with you and needed, I was a load to nobody. Because what I lacked the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I've kept myself from being a load to you, and that's what I'll keep doing. As the truth of Christ is in me, nobody will stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I don't love you? God knows. But what I do, that's what I'll do, so I can cut off the chance from the ones who want a chance, so in what they boast they can be found even as we are. Because ones like that are false apostles, deceitful workers, changing themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no wonder. Because Satan himself is changed into an angel of light. So it's no great thing if his servants are changed too as the servants of righteousness — whose end will be according to their works.
Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. 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. 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. 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. For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things. Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. 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. As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. 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. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 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.
I wish you would put up with a bit of foolishness from me. And in fact you do put up with me.
I wish you'd put up with me a little in my foolishness. And truly do put up with me.
Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
Because I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. I have promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Because I'm jealous over you with godly jealousy. Because I've promised you to one husband, so I can present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
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.
But I am afraid that, just as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds might be led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ.
But I'm frightened in case by any means, as the snake took Eve in through his craftiness, that's how your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that's in Christ.
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.
Because if someone comes along preaching another Jesus we didn't preach, or if you receive a different spirit you never received, or a different gospel you never accepted — you put up with him easily enough.
Because if one comes preaching another Jesus who we haven't preached, or if you get another spirit you haven't got, or another good news you haven't taken, you might well put up with him.
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.
But I reckon I am not one bit behind the very chiefest apostles.
Because I reckon I wasn't a bit behind the very chief apostles.
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
Even if I am no great speaker, I am not lacking in knowledge. We have made that plain to you in every way, in all things.
But though I'm rough in speech, still I'm not in knowledge. But we've been thoroughly made plain among you in everything.
But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
Did I do wrong in humbling myself so you could be lifted up, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?
Have I done wrong in bringing myself low so you could be lifted up, because I've preached the good news of God to you free of charge?
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
I robbed other churches, taking wages from them so I could serve you.
I robbed other churches, taking wages of them to do you service.
I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
And when I was with you and short of money, I wasn't a burden to anyone. The brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and I will keep on doing it.
And when I was with you and needed, I was a load to nobody. Because what I lacked the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I've kept myself from being a load to you, and that's what I'll keep doing.
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.
As the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia is going to stop me boasting about that.
As the truth of Christ is in me, nobody will stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
Why? Because I don't love you? God knows I do.
Why? Because I don't love you? God knows.
Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
But what I am doing I will go on doing, to cut the ground out from under those who want an opening to be regarded as our equals in what they boast about.
But what I do, that's what I'll do, so I can cut off the chance from the ones who want a chance, so in what they boast they can be found even as we are.
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.
Because men like that are false apostles, dishonest workmen, dressing themselves up as apostles of Christ.
Because ones like that are false apostles, deceitful workers, changing themselves into the apostles of Christ.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no wonder — Satan himself dresses up as an angel of light.
And no wonder. Because Satan himself is changed into an angel of light.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
So it is no great thing if his servants also dress themselves up as servants of righteousness. Their end will match what they do.
So it's no great thing if his servants are changed too as the servants of righteousness — whose end will be according to their works.
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.
Paul's hardships
I say again: don't let anyone take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so I can do a bit of boasting myself. What I am saying now, I am not saying by the Lord, but as a fool would, in this confident boasting. Since plenty of people boast after the flesh, I will boast too. Because you put up with fools happily enough, being so wise yourselves. In fact you put up with a man if he makes slaves of you, if he eats you out, if he takes what is yours, if he puts on airs, if he slaps you in the face. I say this to my shame — as though we were too weak for that. But whatever anyone else dares to boast about, I am talking like a fool now, I dare too. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the offspring of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I am talking out of my mind now — I am more. In hard work, far more. In floggings, beyond counting. In prisons, far more. In deaths, often. Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. I have been constantly on the road: in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from the Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger at sea, in danger among false brothers. In hard work and exhaustion, in many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and without proper clothing. And besides everything else, there is what presses on me daily: the worry of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I don't burn? If I have to boast, I will boast about the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows I am not lying. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, meaning to arrest me. And I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and got clean away out of his hands.
I say again, don't let any man think I'm a fool. But if not, still take me as a fool, so I can boast myself a little. What I speak, I don't speak it after the Lord but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing plenty boast after the flesh, I'll boast too. Because you put up with fools gladly, seeing you're wise. Because you put up with it if a man brings you into bondage, if a man eats you up, if a man takes of you, if a man lifts himself up, if a man strikes you on the face. I speak about shame, as though we'd been weak. But however anyone is bold (I speak foolishly), I'm bold too. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the offspring of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool.) I'm more — in labours more plentiful, in stripes past measure, in prisons more often, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times I got forty stripes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. A night and a day I've been in the deep. In journeyings often, in dangers of waters, in dangers of robbers, in dangers by my own countrymen, in dangers by the nations, in dangers in the town, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers in the sea, in dangers among false brothers. In weariness and pain, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides the things that are outside, what comes on me daily — the care of all the churches. Who's weak, and I'm not weak? Who's made to stumble, and I don't burn? If I have to boast, I'll boast of the things about my weakness. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who's blessed forever, knows I'm not lying. In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the town of the Damascenes with a guard, wanting to take me. And through a window in a basket I was let down by the wall and got away from his hands.
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. That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 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. I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 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. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 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; 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; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
I say again: don't let anyone take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so I can do a bit of boasting myself.
I say again, don't let any man think I'm a fool. But if not, still take me as a fool, so I can boast myself a little.
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.
What I am saying now, I am not saying by the Lord, but as a fool would, in this confident boasting.
What I speak, I don't speak it after the Lord but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
Since plenty of people boast after the flesh, I will boast too.
Seeing plenty boast after the flesh, I'll boast too.
Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
Because you put up with fools happily enough, being so wise yourselves.
Because you put up with fools gladly, seeing you're wise.
For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
In fact you put up with a man if he makes slaves of you, if he eats you out, if he takes what is yours, if he puts on airs, if he slaps you in the face.
Because you put up with it if a man brings you into bondage, if a man eats you up, if a man takes of you, if a man lifts himself up, if a man strikes you on the face.
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.
I say this to my shame — as though we were too weak for that. But whatever anyone else dares to boast about, I am talking like a fool now, I dare too.
I speak about shame, as though we'd been weak. But however anyone is bold (I speak foolishly), I'm bold too.
I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the offspring of Abraham? So am I.
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
Are they ministers of Christ? I am talking out of my mind now — I am more. In hard work, far more. In floggings, beyond counting. In prisons, far more. In deaths, often.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool.) I'm more — in labours more plentiful, in stripes past measure, in prisons more often, in deaths often.
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.
Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one.
Of the Jews five times I got forty stripes less one.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.
Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. A night and a day I've been in the deep.
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;
I have been constantly on the road: in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from the Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger at sea, in danger among false brothers.
In journeyings often, in dangers of waters, in dangers of robbers, in dangers by my own countrymen, in dangers by the nations, in dangers in the town, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers in the sea, in dangers among false brothers.
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;
In hard work and exhaustion, in many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and without proper clothing.
In weariness and pain, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
And besides everything else, there is what presses on me daily: the worry of all the churches.
Besides the things that are outside, what comes on me daily — the care of all the churches.
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I don't burn?
Who's weak, and I'm not weak? Who's made to stumble, and I don't burn?
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
If I have to boast, I will boast about the things that show my weakness.
If I have to boast, I'll boast of the things about my weakness.
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows I am not lying.
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who's blessed forever, knows I'm not lying.
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
In Damascus the governor under King Aretas kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, meaning to arrest me.
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the town of the Damascenes with a guard, wanting to take me.
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
And I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and got clean away out of his hands.
And through a window in a basket I was let down by the wall and got away from his hands.
And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.