12. And I will keep on doing what I am doing now. I will continue because I want to stop those people from having a reason to brag. They would like to say that the work they brag about is the same as ours.
13. Such men are not true apostles. They are workers who lie. And they change themselves to look like apostles of Christ.
14. This does not surprise us. Even Satan changes himself to look like an angel of light.
15. So it does not surprise us if Satan’s servants also make themselves look like servants who work for what is right. But in the end they will be punished for the things they do.
16. I tell you again: No one should think that I am a fool. But if you think that I am a fool, then accept me as you would accept a fool. Then I can brag a little, too.
17. I brag because I feel sure of myself. But I am not talking as the Lord would talk. I am bragging like a fool.
18. Many people are bragging about their lives in the world. So I will brag, too.
19. You are wise, so you will gladly be patient with fools!
20. You are even patient with someone who orders you around and uses you! You are patient with those who trick you, or think they are better than you, or hit you in the face!
21. It is shameful to me to say this, but we were too “weak” to do those things to you!But if anyone else is brave enough to brag, then I also will be brave and brag. (I am talking like a fool.)
22. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they from Abraham’s family? So am I.
23. Are they serving Christ? I am serving him more. (I am crazy to talk like this.) I have worked much harder than they. I have been in prison more often. I have been hurt more in beatings. I have been near death many times.