7. Have I committed an offence in humbling myself that ye might be exalted because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8. I deprived the other congregations {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones}, taking wages of them, to do you service.
9. And when I was present with you and had need, I was not a burden to any of you, for that which was lacking to me was supplied by the brethren which came from Macedonia; and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
10. It is the truth of Christ in me that this glory shall not be sealed up unto me in the regions of Achaia.
11. Why? because I do not love you? God knows.
12. But what I do, I will continue to do that I may take away the occasion from those who desire it to be found like unto us in that in which they glory.
13. For these false apostles are deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
14. And it is no marvel, for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
15. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers transform themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.
16. I say again, Let no one think me a fool if otherwise, receive me as a fool, that I may yet glory a little.
17. That which I speak, I speak it not according to the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of glory.
18. Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
19. For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
20. For ye suffer it if anyone brings you into bondage, if anyone devours you, if anyone takes of you, if anyone exalts himself, if anyone smites you on the face.
21. I speak as concerning the reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit in that in which another is bold, (I speak foolishly), I am bold also.
22. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.