16. I say again, Let no man think me foolish; but if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
17. That which I speak, I speak it not according to the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18. Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will boast also.
19. For you put up with fools gladly, seeing you yourselves are wise.
20. For you permit it, if a man brings you into bondage, if a man devours you, if a man takes of you, if a man exalts himself, if a man smites you on the face.
21. I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. But in whatsoever way any 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 descendants of Abraham? so am I.
23. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes beyond measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often.
24. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes less one.
25. Three times was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, three times I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26. In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27. In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28. Besides those things that are outside, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
29. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
30. If I must boast, I will boast of the things which concern my weaknesses.
31. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forevermore, knows that I lie not.
32. In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of Damascus with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: