16. I 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.
17. What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool.
18. Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.
19. For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves!
20. For 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.
21. To 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.
22. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I.