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2 Corinthians 11
New Living Translation
2 Corinthians 11
New Living Translation
Paul and the False Apostles
11 I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride[a] to one husband—Christ. 3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.
5 But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things. 6 I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way.
7 Was I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return? 8 I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. 9 And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece[b] will ever stop me from boasting about this. 11 Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do.
12 But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.
Paul’s Many Trials
16 Again 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. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. 19 After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! 20 You 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. 21 I’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. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are 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. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.[c] 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.
2 Corinthians 11
Holman Christian Standard Bible
2 Corinthians 11
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Paul and the False Apostles
11 I wish you would put up with a little foolishness(A) from me. Yes, do put up with me.[a] 2 For I am jealous(B) over you with a godly jealousy,(C) because I have promised you in marriage to one husband—to present a pure(D) virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear that, as the serpent(E) deceived(F) Eve(G) by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a complete and pure[b] devotion to Christ.(H) 4 For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus,(I) whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit,(J) which you had not received, or a different gospel,(K) which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!
5 Now I consider myself in no way inferior to the “super-apostles.”(L) 6 Though untrained in public speaking,(M) I am certainly not untrained in knowledge.(N) Indeed, we have always made that clear to you in everything. 7 Or did I commit a sin by humbling(O) myself so that you might be exalted,(P) because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?(Q) 8 I robbed other churches by taking pay from them to minister to you. 9 When I was present with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia(R) supplied my needs.(S) I have kept myself, and will keep myself, from burdening you in any way. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped[c] in the regions of Achaia.(T) 11 Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows I do!
12 But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny[d] the opportunity of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as our equals in what they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles,(U) deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny[e] will be according to their works.(V)
Paul’s Sufferings for Christ
16 I repeat: No one should consider me a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool, so I too may boast a little. 17 What I say in this matter[f] of boasting, I don’t speak as the Lord would, but foolishly. 18 Since many boast in an unspiritual way,[g] I will also boast. 19 For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools!(W) 20 In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours(X) you, if someone captures you, if someone dominates you, or if someone hits(Y) you in the face. 21 I say this to our shame: We have been weak.
But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am talking foolishly—I also dare:
22 Are they Hebrews?(Z) So am I.
Are they Israelites? So am I.
Are they the seed of Abraham?(AA) So am I.
23 Are 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, near death[h] many times.
24 Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews.(AB)
25 Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans.(AC)
Once I was stoned by my enemies.[i](AD)
Three times I was shipwrecked.(AE)
I have spent a night and a day
in the open sea.
26 On frequent journeys, I faced
dangers from rivers,
dangers from robbers,(AF)
dangers from my own people,(AG)
dangers from the Gentiles,
dangers in the city,
dangers in the open country,
dangers on the sea,
and dangers among false brothers;
27 labor and hardship,
many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst,
often without food, cold, and lacking clothing.(AH)
28 Not to mention[j] other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble,(AI) and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses. 31 The God and Father(AJ) of the Lord Jesus, who is praised forever, knows I am not lying. 32 In Damascus,(AK) the governor under King Aretas[k] guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me, 33 so I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.(AL)
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 11:1 Or Yes, you are putting up with me
- 2 Corinthians 11:3 Other mss omit and pure
- 2 Corinthians 11:10 Or silenced
- 2 Corinthians 11:12 Lit cut off
- 2 Corinthians 11:15 Lit end
- 2 Corinthians 11:17 Or business, or confidence
- 2 Corinthians 11:18 Lit boast according to the flesh
- 2 Corinthians 11:23 Lit and in deaths
- 2 Corinthians 11:25 A common Jewish method of capital punishment; Ac 14:5
- 2 Corinthians 11:28 Lit Apart from
- 2 Corinthians 11:32 Aretus IV (9 b.c.–a.d. 40), a Nabatean Arab king
2 Corinthians 11
English Standard Version
2 Corinthians 11
English Standard Version
Paul and the False Apostles
11 I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! 2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since (A)I betrothed you to one husband, (B)to present you (C)as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that (D)as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts (E)will be led astray from a (F)sincere and (G)pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and (H)proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept (I)a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 5 Indeed, I consider that (J)I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 6 (K)Even if I am unskilled in speaking, (L)I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way (M)we have made this plain to you in all things.
7 Or (N)did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because (O)I preached God's gospel to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and was (P)in need, (Q)I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia (R)supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain (S)from burdening you in any way. 10 (T)As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine (U)will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11 And why? (V)Because I do not love you? (W)God knows I do!
12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, (X)in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are (Y)false apostles, (Z)deceitful workmen, (AA)disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as (AB)an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as (AC)servants of righteousness. (AD)Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Paul's Sufferings as an Apostle
16 I repeat, (AE)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 (AF)with this boastful confidence, (AG)I say not as the Lord would[a] but as a fool. 18 Since (AH)many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. 19 For you gladly bear with fools, (AI)being wise yourselves! 20 For you bear it if someone (AJ)makes slaves of you, or (AK)devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or (AL)strikes you in the face. 21 To my shame, I must say, (AM)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? (AN)So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they (AO)servants of Christ? (AP)I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, (AQ)far more imprisonments, (AR)with countless beatings, and (AS)often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the (AT)forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was (AU)beaten with rods. (AV)Once I was stoned. Three times I (AW)was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, (AX)danger from my own people, (AY)danger from Gentiles, (AZ)danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 (BA)in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, (BB)in hunger and thirst, often without food,[b] in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for (BC)all the churches. 29 (BD)Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
30 (BE)If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 (BF)The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, (BG)he who is blessed forever, (BH)knows that I am not lying. 32 At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas (BI)was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, 33 (BJ)but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 11:17 Greek not according to the Lord
- 2 Corinthians 11:27 Or often in fasting
2 Corinthians 11
New International Version
2 Corinthians 11
New International Version
Paul and the False Apostles
11 I hope you will put up with(A) me in a little foolishness.(B) Yes, please put up with me! 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband,(C) to Christ, so that I might present you(D) as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning,(E) your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached,(F) or if you receive a different spirit(G) from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel(H) from the one you accepted, you put up with it(I) easily enough.
5 I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”[a](J) 6 I may indeed be untrained as a speaker,(K) but I do have knowledge.(L) We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. 7 Was it a sin(M) for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God(N) to you free of charge?(O) 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them(P) so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed.(Q) I have kept myself from being a burden to you(R) in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me,(S) nobody in the regions of Achaia(T) will stop this boasting(U) of mine. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows(V) I do!(W)
12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles,(X) deceitful(Y) workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.(Z) 14 And no wonder, for Satan(AA) himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.(AB)
Paul Boasts About His Sufferings
16 I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool.(AC) But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17 In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would,(AD) but as a fool.(AE) 18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does,(AF) I too will boast.(AG) 19 You gladly put up with(AH) fools since you are so wise!(AI) 20 In fact, you even put up with(AJ) anyone who enslaves you(AK) or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. 21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak(AL) for that!
Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.(AM) 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I.(AN) Are they Israelites? So am I.(AO) Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.(AP) 23 Are they servants of Christ?(AQ) (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,(AR) been in prison more frequently,(AS) been flogged more severely,(AT) and been exposed to death again and again.(AU) 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes(AV) minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods,(AW) once I was pelted with stones,(AX) three times I was shipwrecked,(AY) I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews,(AZ) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,(BA) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.(BB) 27 I have labored and toiled(BC) and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;(BD) I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.(BE) 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?(BF) Who is led into sin,(BG) and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast(BH) of the things that show my weakness.(BI) 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever,(BJ) knows(BK) that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me.(BL) 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.(BM)
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 11:5 Or to the most eminent apostles
2 Corinthians 11
Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament
2 Corinthians 11
Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament
11 O that ophelon you would put up with anechōmai me egō in a tis little mikros foolishness aphrosynē! · kai Do put up with anechōmai me egō! 2 For gar I am jealous zēloō for you hymeis with zēlos a jealousy zēlos God theos inspires, for gar I have promised harmozō you hymeis in marriage to a single heis husband anēr, to ho Christ Christos, that I might present paristēmi you to him as an undefiled hagnos virgin parthenos. 3 But de I am afraid phobeomai, however mē pōs, that just as hōs the ho serpent ophis deceived exapataō Eve heua by en · ho his autos craftiness panourgia, so your hymeis minds noēma may be led astray phtheirō · ho from apo the ho simplicity haplotēs and kai · ho purity hagnotēs that ho is in eis · ho Christ Christos. 4 For gar if ei one ho comes erchomai and proclaims kēryssō a different allos Jesus Iēsous whom hos we did not ou proclaim kēryssō, or ē if you welcome lambanō a different heteros spirit pneuma which hos you did not ou welcome lambanō, or ē a different heteros gospel euangelion which hos you did not ou welcome dechomai, you put up with anechōmai it easily kalōs. 5 For gar I consider logizomai myself to be in no way mēdeis inferior hystereō to those ho “ super-apostles hyperlian apostolos.” 6 But de even kai if ei I am an amateur idiōtēs in ho speaking logos, I am certainly not alla in ho knowledge gnōsis. Rather alla, in en every pas way we have made this plain phaneroō to eis you hymeis as to en all pas. 7 Or ē did I commit poieō a sin hamartia in humbling tapeinoō myself emautou so that hina you hymeis could be exalted hypsoō, because hoti I proclaimed euangelizō the ho gospel euangelion of ho God theos to you hymeis without a charge dōrean? 8 I robbed sylaō other allos churches ekklēsia, taking lambanō support opsōnion from them to carry out pros my ho service diakonia to you hymeis. 9 And kai when I was present pareimi with pros you hymeis and kai in need hystereō, I did not ou burden katanarkaō anyone outheis, for gar when erchomai the ho brothers adelphos came erchomai from apo Macedonia Makedonia they supplied prosanaplēroō · ho my egō need hysterēma. · kai I kept tēreō myself emautou from tēreō being a burden abarēs to you hymeis in en any pas way , and kai will continue to do so tēreō. 10 As the truth alētheia of Christ Christos is eimi in en me egō, · ho this houtos boasting kauchēsis of eis mine egō will not ou be put to silence phrassō in en the ho districts klima of ho Achaia Achaia. 11 Why dia is that tis? Is it because hoti I do not ou love agapaō you hymeis? · ho God theos knows oida I do.
12 And de what hos I am doing poieō · kai I will continue to do poieō, so hina as to remove ekkoptō any ho opportunity aphormē from ho those desiring thelō an opportunity aphormē to hina be regarded heuriskō, in the things in en which hos they boast kauchaomai, to be just as kathōs · kai we hēmeis are. 13 · ho For gar such men toioutos are false apostles pseudapostolos, deceitful dolios workers ergatēs, disguising metaschēmatizō themselves as eis apostles apostolos of Christ Christos. 14 And kai no ou wonder thauma! For gar Satan Satanas himself autos · ho disguises metaschēmatizō himself as eis an angel angelos of light phōs. 15 So oun it is no ou great megas surprise if ei his autos servants diakonos, too kai, · ho disguise metaschēmatizō themselves as hōs servants diakonos of righteousness dikaiosynē. Their hos · ho end telos will be eimi according kata to · ho their autos works ergon.
16 Again palin I say legō, let dokeō no mē one tis think dokeō me egō foolish aphrōn. But de even ge if ei you do, then at least kan accept dechomai me egō as hōs a fool aphrōn, so that hina I too kagō may boast kauchaomai a tis little mikros. 17 What hos I am saying laleō, I am laleō not ou saying laleō according kata to the Lord kyrios, but alla as hōs in en foolishness aphrosynē, in en this houtos · ho confidence hypostasis of ho boasting kauchēsis. 18 Since epei there are many polys who are boasting kauchaomai according kata to the flesh sarx, I too kagō will boast kauchaomai. 19 For gar gladly hēdeōs you put up with anechōmai · ho fools aphrōn, since you are eimi so wise phronimos! 20 For gar you put up with anechōmai it if ei anyone tis enslaves katadouloō you hymeis, if ei anyone tis exploits katesthiō you, if ei anyone tis takes advantage lambanō of you, if ei anyone tis puts on airs epairō, if ei anyone tis strikes derō you hymeis in eis the face prosōpon. 21 I say legō this to kata my shame atimia, that hoti in this we hēmeis have been weak astheneō. But de as to en whatever hos anyone tis else dares tolmaō to boast about— I am talking legō like en a fool aphrosynē— I also kagō dare tolmaō to boast . 22 Are they eimi Hebrews Hebraios? So am I kagō. Are they eimi Israelites Israēlitēs? So am I kagō. Are they eimi descendants sperma of Abraham Abraam? So am I kagō. 23 Are they eimi servants diakonos of Christ Christos?— I am talking laleō like a madman paraphroneō!— I egō am even more so hyper: in en far more perissoterōs labors kopos, in en prison phylakē more often perissoterōs, in en beatings plēgē more severe hyperballontōs, facing en death thanatos again and again pollakis. 24 Five times pentakis I received lambanō from hypo the Jews Ioudaios the forty tesserakonta lashes less para one heis. 25 Three tris times I was beaten with a rod rhabdizō. Once hapax I was stoned lithazō. Three tris times I was shipwrecked nauageō. I have been adrift poieō on en the ho open sea bythos for twenty-four nychthēmeron hours . 26 On my frequent pollakis journeys hodoiporia I have been exposed to dangers kindynos from rivers potamos, dangers kindynos from bandits lēstēs, dangers kindynos from ek my own people genos, dangers kindynos from ek Gentiles ethnos, dangers kindynos in en the city polis, dangers kindynos in en the countryside erēmia, dangers kindynos at en sea thalassa, dangers kindynos at en the hands of false pseudadelphos brothers ; 27 in toil kopos and kai hard work mochthos, often pollakis in en need agrypnia of sleep , in en hunger limos and kai thirst dipsos, many times pollakis without food en, in en cold psychos and kai nakedness gymnotēs. 28 Apart chōris from · ho other things parektos, there is the ho daily kata pressure epistasis on me egō · ho of my ho anxious merimna concern for all pas the ho churches ekklēsia. 29 Who tis is weak astheneō, and kai I am not ou weak astheneō? Who tis is made to stumble skandalizō, and kai I egō do not ou burn pyroō with indignation?
30 If ei there must dei be boasting kauchaomai, I will boast of kauchaomai the ho things that ho display my egō weakness astheneia. 31 The ho God theos and kai Father patēr of ho our Lord kyrios Jesus Iēsous, he ho who is eimi blessed eulogētos for eis all ho time aiōn, knows oida that hoti I am not ou lying pseudomai. 32 At en Damascus Damaskos the ho ethnarch ethnarchēs under ho king basileus Aretas Haretas was guarding phroureō the ho city polis of Damascus Damaskēnos in order to arrest piazō me egō, 33 but kai I was lowered chalaō in en a basket sarganē through dia an opening thuris in dia the ho wall teichos and kai escaped ekpheugō · ho his autos hands cheir.
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