6. But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled in knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things.
7. Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge?
8. I robbed other assemblies, taking wages from them that I might serve you.
9. When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn’t a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so.
10. As the truth of Messiah is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11. Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows.
12. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we.
13. For such men are false emissaries, deceitful workers, masquerading as Messiah’s emissaries.
14. And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.
15. It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
16. I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.
17. That which I speak, I don’t speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
18. Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast.
19. For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise.
20. For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face.
21. I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet in whatever way anyone is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.
22. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the offspring of Abraham? So am I.