2 Corinthians 11 - Names of God Bible (NOG)

Paul Contrasts Himself with False Apostles

11 I want you to put up with a little foolishness from me. I’m sure that you will. 2 I’m as protective of you as God is. After all, you’re a virgin whom I promised in marriage to one man—Christ. 3 However, I’m afraid that as the snake deceived Eve by its tricks, so your minds may somehow be lured away from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 When someone comes to you telling about another Yeshua whom we didn’t tell you about, you’re willing to put up with it. When you receive a spirit that is different from the Spirit you received earlier, you’re also willing to put up with that. When someone tells you good news that is different from the Good News you already accepted, you’re willing to put up with that too.

5 I don’t think I’m inferior in any way to your super-apostles. 6 Even though I’m not good with words, I know what I’m talking about. Timothy and I have made this clear to you in every possible way.

7 Did I commit a sin when I humbled myself by telling you the Good News of God free of charge so that you could become important? 8 I robbed other churches by taking pay from them to serve you. 9 When I was with you and needed something, I didn’t bother any of you for help. My friends from the province of Macedonia supplied everything I needed. I kept myself from being a financial burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do that.

10 As surely as I have Christ’s truth, my bragging will not be silenced anywhere in Greece. 11 Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do love you. 12 But I’ll go on doing what I’m doing. This will take away the opportunity of those people who want to brag because they think they’re like us. 13 People who brag like this are false apostles. They are dishonest workers, since they disguise themselves as Christ’s apostles. 14 And no wonder, even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it’s not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants who have God’s approval. In the end they will get what they deserve.

More Reasons for Paul to Brag

16 Again I say that no one should think that I’m a fool. But if you do, then take me for a fool so that I can also brag a little. 17 What I say as I start bragging is foolishness. It’s not something I would say if I were speaking for the Lord. 18 Since it’s common for people to brag, I’ll do it too. 19 You’re wise, so you’ll gladly put up with fools. 20 When someone makes you slaves, consumes your wealth, seizes your property, orders you around, or slaps your faces, you put up with it. 21 I’m ashamed to admit it, but Timothy and I don’t have the strength to do those things to you.

Whatever other people dare to brag about, I, like a fool, can also brag about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. 23 Are they Christ’s servants? It’s insane to say it, but I’m a far better one. I’ve done much more work, been in prison many more times, been beaten more severely, and have faced death more often. 24 Five times the Jewish leaders had me beaten with 39 lashes; 25 three times Roman officials had me beaten with clubs. Once people tried to stone me to death; three times I was shipwrecked, and I drifted on the sea for a night and a day. 26 Because I’ve traveled a lot, I’ve faced dangers from raging rivers, from robbers, from my own people, and from other people. I’ve faced dangers in the city, in the open country, on the sea, and from believers who turned out to be false friends. 27 Because I’ve had to work so hard, I’ve often gone without sleep, been hungry and thirsty, and gone without food and without proper clothes during cold weather. 28 Besides these external matters, I have the daily pressure of my anxiety about all the churches. 29 When anyone is weak, I’m weak too. When anyone is caught in a trap, I’m also harmed.

30 If I must brag, I will brag about the things that show how weak I am. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Yeshua, who is praised forever, knows that I’m not lying. 32 The governor under King Aretas put guards around the city of Damascus to catch me. 33 So I was let down in a basket through an opening in the wall and escaped from him.

You Might Also Like:

2 Corinthians 11 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

11 O that ye were bearing with me a little of the folly, but ye also do bear with me: 2 for I am zealous for you with zeal of God, for I did betroth you to one husband, a pure virgin, to present to Christ, 3 and I fear, lest, as the serpent did beguile Eve in his subtilty, so your minds may be corru...
Read More

2 Corinthians 11 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

11 I would that ye would suffer a little thing of mine unwisdom, but also support ye me.[a] 2 For I love you by the love of God; for I have espoused [spoused] you to one husband, to yield a chaste virgin to Christ [to give you, a chaste virgin, to one man, Christ]. 3 But I dread, lest as the serpe...
Read More

2 Corinthians 11 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

11 I want to say something a little bit foolish. But please listen to me! 2 I love you as God loves you. I see you as a woman who has not been married and I am giving you to be the wife of a husband. That husband is Christ. 3 But the snake fooled Eve by his trick. And I am afraid that your minds wil...
Read More

2 Corinthians 11 - World English Bible (WEB)

11 I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in hi...
Read More

2 Corinthians 11 - The Voice (VOICE)

Paul’s tone changes. Some believe chapters 10–13 may be from his second letter “covered with tears” (2:4). His rebuke and strong warning are meant to lead the Corinthians lovingly to repentance.11 Please endure a little foolishness on my part; you have come so far with me already. 2 To be completel...
Read More

2 Corinthians 11 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

True and False Apostles11 I wish that you would put up with a little foolishness from me, but indeed you are putting up with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I betrothed you to one husband, to present you to Messiah as a pure virgin. [a] 3 But I am afraid that somehow, as ...
Read More

2 Corinthians 11 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Paul and the False Apostles11 I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! 2 I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to Christ to present you as a pure bride to her one husband. 3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thought...
Read More

2 Corinthians 11 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

11 Would to God you could suffer a little of my foolishness, and indeed, suffer me. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. For I have prepared you for one husband; to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 Yet I fear, however, that just as the serpent tricked Eve through his subtlety, s...
Read More

2 Corinthians 11 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Super-Apostles?11 I’d be glad if you would bear with me in a little bit of foolishness. Yes: bear with me, please! 2 I’m jealous over you, and it’s God’s own jealousy: I arranged to marry you off, like a pure virgin, to the one man I presented you to, namely the Messiah. 3 But the serpent tricked ...
Read More

2 Corinthians 11 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Paul and the False Apostles11 I wish you would put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, do put up[a] with me!(A)2 I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.(B)3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by...
Read More

2 Corinthians 11 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

Paul (with reluctance) commends himself, and defends his authority against the false prophets. 11 I would you could suffer me a little in my foolishness, yea and I ask you to bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. For I espoused you to one man, to present you a chaste virgin...
Read More

2 Corinthians 11 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Paul and the False Apostles11 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 w...
Read More

2 Corinthians 11 - New Life Version (NLV)

Paul—the True Missionary11 I wish you would listen to a little foolish talk from me. Now listen. 2 I am jealous for you with a God-like jealousy. I have given you, as a woman who has never had a man, to one Husband, Who is Christ. 3 Eve was fooled by the snake in the garden of Eden. In the same wa...
Read More

2 Corinthians 11 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Concern for Their Faithfulness11 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little (A)folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am (B)jealous for you with godly jealousy. For (C)I have betrothed you to one husband, (D)that I may present you (E)as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow...
Read More