23. Are they serving Christ? I am serving him even more. I'm out of my mind to talk like this! I have worked much harder. I have been in prison more often. I have suffered terrible beatings. Again and again I almost died.
24. Five times the Jews gave me 39 strokes with a whip.
25. Three times I was beaten with sticks. Once they tried to kill me by throwing stones at me. Three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.
26. I have had to keep on the move. I have been in danger from rivers. I have been in danger from robbers. I have been in danger from people from my own country. I have been in danger from those who aren't Jews. I have been in danger in the city, in the country, and at sea. I have been in danger from people who pretended they were believers.
27. I have worked very hard. Often I have gone without sleep. I have been hungry and thirsty. Often I have gone without food. I have been cold and naked.
28. Besides everything else, every day I am concerned about all the churches. It is a very heavy load.
29. If anyone is weak, I feel weak. If anyone is led into sin, I burn on the inside.
30. If I have to brag, I will brag about the things that show how weak I am.
31. I am not lying. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus knows this. May God be praised forever.
32. In Damascus the governor who served under King Aretas had their city guarded. He wanted to arrest me.