21. I am ashamed to say that we are too weak to behave in such a way.If they can boast, so can I, but it is a foolish thing to do.
22. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Jews? So am I. Are they from the family of Abraham? Well, so am I.
23. Are they servants of Christ? I am a fool to talk this way, but I serve him better than they do. I have worked harder and have been put in jail more times. I have been beaten with whips more and have been in danger of death more often.
24. Five times the Jews gave me thirty-nine lashes with a whip.
25. Three times the Romans beat me with a big stick, and once my enemies stoned me. I have been shipwrecked three times, and I even had to spend a night and a day in the sea.
26. During my many travels, I have been in danger from rivers, robbers, my own people, and foreigners. My life has been in danger in cities, in deserts, at sea, and with people who only pretended to be the Lord's followers.
27. I have worked and struggled and spent many sleepless nights. I have gone hungry and thirsty and often had nothing to eat. I have been cold from not having enough clothes to keep me warm.
28. Besides everything else, each day I am burdened down, worrying about all the churches.
29. When others are weak, I am weak too. When others are tricked into sin, I get angry.
30. If I have to boast, I will boast about how weak I am.
31. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, knows I am not lying. And God is to be praised for ever!
32. The governor of Damascus at the time of King Aretas had the city gates guarded, so that he could capture me.
33. But I escaped by being let down in a basket through a window in the city wall.