2 Corinthians 11:15-23
New American Standard Bible
16Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little.
17What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
18Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.
19For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly.
20For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, if anyone devours you, if anyone takes advantage of you, if anyone exalts himself, if anyone hits you in the face.
21To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold—I am speaking in foolishness—I too am bold.
22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23Are they servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.
King James Version
16I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
17That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
19For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
20For 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.
21I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
Christian Standard Bible
16I repeat: Let no one consider me a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool so that I can also boast a little.
17What I am saying in this matter of boasting, I don't speak as the Lord would, but as it were, foolishly.
18Since many boast according to the flesh, I will also boast.
19For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools!
20In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone is arrogant toward you, if someone slaps you in the face.
21I say this to our shame: We have been too weak for that!But in whatever anyone dares to boast--I am talking foolishly--I also dare:
22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23Are they servants of Christ? I'm talking like a madman--I'm a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death.
New Living Translation
16Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little.
17Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool.
18And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.
19After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools!
20You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face.
21I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too 'weak' to do that! But whatever they dare to boast about — I’m talking like a fool again — I dare to boast about it, too.
22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.
English Standard Version
16I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
17What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool.
18Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.
19For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves!
20For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face.
21To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that.
New International Version
16I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting.
17In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool.
18Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast.
19You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise!
20In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face.
21To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that! Whatever anyone else dares to boast about--I am speaking as a fool--I also dare to boast about.
22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I.
23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.
