22. Are those people Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they from Abraham’s family? So am I.
23. Are they serving Christ? I am serving him more. (I am crazy to talk like this.) I have worked much harder than they have. I have been in prison more often. I have been hurt more in beatings. I have been near death many times.
24. Five times the Jews have given me their punishment of 39 lashes with a whip.
25. Three different times I was beaten with rods. One time I was almost killed with rocks. Three times I was in ships that were wrecked, and one of those times I spent the night and the next day in the sea.
26. In my constant traveling I have been in danger from rivers, from thieves, from my own people, and from people who are not Jews. I have been in danger in cities, in places where no one lives, and on the sea. And I have been in danger from people who pretend to be believers but are not.
27. I have done hard and tiring work, and many times I did not sleep. I have been hungry and thirsty. Many times I have been without food. I have been cold and without clothes.
28. And there are many other problems. One of these is the care I have for all the churches. I worry about each group of believers every day.
29. I feel weak every time another person is weak. I feel deeply upset every time another person is led into sin.
30. If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show I am weak.