2Cor.11.1 blas

Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

2Cor.11.1 blas

Will you put up with a little foolish aside from me? Please, just for a moment.

2Cor.11.1 blas

Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly--and indeed you do bear with me.

2Cor.11.1 blas

I hope you will be patient with me as I keep on talking like a fool. Please bear with me.

2Cor.11.2 blas

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

2Cor.11.2 blas

The thing that has me so upset is that I care about you so much--this is the passion of God burning inside me! I promised your hand in marriage to Christ, presented you as a pure virgin to her husband.

2Cor.11.2 blas

For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

2Cor.11.2 blas

I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. For I promised you as a pure bride to one husband, Christ.

2Cor.11.3 blas

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

2Cor.11.3 blas

And now I'm afraid that exactly as the Snake seduced Eve with his smooth patter, you are being lured away from the simple purity of your love for Christ.

2Cor.11.3 blas

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

2Cor.11.3 blas

But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent.

2Cor.11.4 blas

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

2Cor.11.4 blas

It seems that if someone shows up preaching quite another Jesus than we preached--different spirit, different message--you put up with him quite nicely.

2Cor.11.4 blas

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted--you may well put up with it!

2Cor.11.4 blas

You seem to believe whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach about a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

2Cor.11.5 blas

For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

2Cor.11.5 blas

But if you put up with these big-shot "apostles," why can't you put up with simple me? I'm as good as they are.

2Cor.11.5 blas

For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.

2Cor.11.5 blas

But I don't think I am inferior to these "super apostles."

2Cor.11.6 blas

But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

2Cor.11.6 blas

It's true that I don't have their voice, haven't mastered that smooth eloquence that impresses you so much. But when I do open my mouth, I at least know what I'm talking about. We haven't kept anything back. We let you in on everything.

2Cor.11.6 blas

Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.

2Cor.11.6 blas

I may not be a trained speaker, but I know what I am talking about. I think you realize this by now, for we have proved it again and again.

2Cor.11.7 blas

Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

2Cor.11.7 blas

I wonder, did I make a bad mistake in proclaiming God's Message to you without asking for something in return, serving you free of charge so that you wouldn't be inconvenienced by me?

2Cor.11.7 blas

Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?

2Cor.11.7 blas

Did I do wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God's Good News to you without expecting anything in return?

2Cor.11.8 blas

I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

2Cor.11.8 blas

It turns out that the other churches paid my way so that you could have a free ride.

2Cor.11.8 blas

I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you.

2Cor.11.8 blas

I "robbed" other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost.

2Cor.11.9 blas

And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

2Cor.11.9 blas

Not once during the time I lived among you did anyone have to lift a finger to help me out. My needs were always supplied by the Christians from Macedonia province. I was careful never to be a burden to you, and I never will be, you can count on it.

2Cor.11.9 blas

And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.

2Cor.11.9 blas

And when I was with you and didn't have enough to live on, I did not ask you to help me. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me another gift. I have never yet asked you for any support, and I never will.

2Cor.11.10 blas

As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

2Cor.11.10 blas

With Christ as my witness, it's a point of honor with me, and I'm not going to keep it quiet just to protect you from what the neighbors will think.

2Cor.11.10 blas

As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

2Cor.11.10 blas

As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, I will never stop boasting about this all over Greece.

2Cor.11.11 blas

Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.

2Cor.11.11 blas

It's not that I don't love you; God knows I do.

2Cor.11.11 blas

Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!

2Cor.11.11 blas

Why? Because I don't love you? God knows I do.

2Cor.11.12 blas

But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

2Cor.11.12 blas

I'm just trying to keep things open and honest between us. And I'm not changing my position on this. I'd die before taking your money. I'm giving nobody grounds for lumping me in with those money-grubbing "preachers," vaunting themselves as something special.

2Cor.11.12 blas

But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.

2Cor.11.12 blas

But I will continue doing this to cut the ground out from under the feet of those who boast that their work is just like ours.

2Cor.11.13 blas

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

2Cor.11.13 blas

They're a sorry bunch--pseudo-apostles, lying preachers, crooked workers--posing as Christ's agents but sham to the core.

2Cor.11.13 blas

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

2Cor.11.13 blas

These people are false apostles. They have fooled you by disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

2Cor.11.14 blas

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

2Cor.11.14 blas

And no wonder! Satan does it all the time, dressing up as a beautiful angel of light.

2Cor.11.14 blas

And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

2Cor.11.14 blas

But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light.

2Cor.11.15 blas

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2Cor.11.15 blas

So it shouldn't surprise us when his servants masquerade as servants of God. But they're not getting by with anything. They'll pay for it in the end.

2Cor.11.15 blas

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

2Cor.11.15 blas

So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

2Cor.11.16 blas

I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

2Cor.11.16 blas

Let me come back to where I started--and don't hold it against me if I continue to sound a little foolish. Or if you'd rather, just accept that I am a fool and let me rant on a little.

2Cor.11.16 blas

I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.

2Cor.11.16 blas

Once again, don't think that I have lost my wits 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.

2Cor.11.17 blas

That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

2Cor.11.17 blas

I didn't learn this kind of talk from Christ.

2Cor.11.17 blas

What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

2Cor.11.17 blas

Such bragging is not something the Lord wants, but I am acting like a fool.

2Cor.11.18 blas

Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.

2Cor.11.18 blas

Oh, no, it's a bad habit I picked up from the three-ring preachers that are so popular these days.

2Cor.11.18 blas

Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.

2Cor.11.18 blas

And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.

2Cor.11.19 blas

For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.

2Cor.11.19 blas

Since you sit there in the judgment seat observing all these shenanigans, you can afford to humor an occasional fool who happens along.

2Cor.11.19 blas

For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise!

2Cor.11.19 blas

After all, you, who think you are so wise, enjoy listening to fools!

2Cor.11.20 blas

For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

2Cor.11.20 blas

You have such admirable tolerance for impostors who rob your freedom, rip you off, steal you blind, put you down--even slap your face!

2Cor.11.20 blas

For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face.

2Cor.11.20 blas

You put up with it when they make you their slaves, take everything you have, take advantage of you, put on airs, and slap you in the face.

2Cor.11.21 blas

I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

2Cor.11.21 blas

I shouldn't admit it to you, but our stomachs aren't strong enough to tolerate that kind of stuff. Since you admire the egomaniacs of the pulpit so much (remember, this is your old friend, the fool, talking), let me try my hand at it.

2Cor.11.21 blas

To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold--I speak foolishly--I am bold also.

2Cor.11.21 blas

I'm ashamed to say that we were not strong enough to do that! But whatever they dare to boast about--I'm talking like a fool again--I can boast about it, too.

2Cor.11.22 blas

Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

2Cor.11.22 blas

Do they brag of being Hebrews, Israelites, the pure race of Abraham? I'm their match.

2Cor.11.22 blas

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.

2Cor.11.22 blas

They say they are Hebrews, do they? So am I. And they say they are Israelites? So am I. And they are descendants of Abraham? So am I.

2Cor.11.23 blas

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

2Cor.11.23 blas

Are they servants of Christ? I can go them one better. (I can't believe I'm saying these things. It's crazy to talk this way! But I started, and I'm going to finish.) I've worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death's door time after time.

2Cor.11.23 blas

Are they ministers of Christ?--I speak as a fool--I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.

2Cor.11.23 blas

They say they serve Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in jail more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.

2Cor.11.24 blas

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

2Cor.11.24 blas

I've been flogged five times with the Jews' thirty-nine lashes,

2Cor.11.24 blas

From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.

2Cor.11.24 blas

Five different times the Jews gave me thirty-nine lashes.

2Cor.11.25 blas

Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

2Cor.11.25 blas

beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I've been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day.

2Cor.11.25 blas

Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;

2Cor.11.25 blas

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.

2Cor.11.26 blas

In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

2Cor.11.26 blas

In hard traveling year in and year out, I've had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I've been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers.

2Cor.11.26 blas

in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

2Cor.11.26 blas

I have traveled many weary miles. I have faced danger from flooded 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 stormy seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be Christians but are not.

2Cor.11.27 blas

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

2Cor.11.27 blas

I've known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.

2Cor.11.27 blas

in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness--

2Cor.11.27 blas

I have lived with weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food. Often I have shivered with cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

2Cor.11.28 blas

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

2Cor.11.28 blas

And that's not the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches.

2Cor.11.28 blas

besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.

2Cor.11.28 blas

Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of how the churches are getting along.

2Cor.11.29 blas

Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

2Cor.11.29 blas

When someone gets to the end of his rope, I feel the desperation in my bones. When someone is duped into sin, an angry fire burns in my gut.

2Cor.11.29 blas

Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

2Cor.11.29 blas

Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?

2Cor.11.30 blas

If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

2Cor.11.30 blas

If I have to "brag" about myself, I'll brag about the humiliations that make me like Jesus.

2Cor.11.30 blas

If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.

2Cor.11.30 blas

If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.

2Cor.11.31 blas

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

2Cor.11.31 blas

The eternal and blessed God and Father of our Master Jesus knows I'm not lying.

2Cor.11.31 blas

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.

2Cor.11.31 blas

God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows I tell the truth.

2Cor.11.32 blas

In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

2Cor.11.32 blas

Remember the time I was in Damascus and the governor of King Aretas posted guards at the city gates to arrest me?

2Cor.11.32 blas

In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me;

2Cor.11.32 blas

When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me.

2Cor.11.33 blas

And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

2Cor.11.33 blas

I crawled through a window in the wall, was let down in a basket, and had to run for my life.

2Cor.11.33 blas

but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

2Cor.11.33 blas

But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall, and that's how I got away!