2 Corinthians 11

Paul and the False Apostles

1 Man, I wish you all would let me talk my talk a little bit. Just let me act a little foolish here, bear with me!

2 I am coming at you all like I am crazy in love. I am talking loyal to the bone, just like a ride-or-die friend. I promised you all to Jesus like a loyal partner, so I want you to stay loyal too.

3 But I am worried, man. I do not want you all getting played like Eve did by the snake. Do not let anybody twist your mind and pull you away from real, simple faith in Jesus.

4 If someone rolls up talking about some other “Jesus” or a different type of gospel than the one we taught you, you all should not be falling for it so easily! Do not just swallow everything people feed you.

5 Look, I do not think I am less than these so-called “super apostles” that people are hyping up.

6 I might not be the smoothest talker, but I know what I am talking about. I put my heart into this, and you all know that is real.

7 Was it wrong for me to humble myself so you all could be lifted up, I did not even take a dime from you while I taught God’s word!

8 I took help from other churches so I did not have to ask you all for anything. They had my back so I could serve you free of charge.

9 When I was with you all and did not have enough, I did not beg. My crew from Macedonia had my back and covered what I needed. I never made myself a burden to you all, and I will not.

10 I swear, I will keep this up. I will keep doing things this way because I do not want anyone to take away my reason to brag about it.

11 Why, Is it because I do not love you all, Nah, God knows I got mad love for you all.

12 And I am going to keep doing things this way so those other dudes cannot have any ammo to try and act like they are on the same level as me.

13 These other so-called apostles, They are fake. Straight-up pretending to be something they are not, trying to play you all.

14 And do not be surprised. Even Satan can switch it up and look like an angel of light when he wants.

15 So do not be shocked if these dudes pretend to be servants of God. Their ending will show you the truth about them.

16 I am going to say it again, do not think I am a fool. But even if you do, let me talk my foolishness, so I can brag a little bit too.

17 Look, this is not from the Lord. I am just talking crazy right now, going off like these other guys do.

18 Everybody else is bragging about themselves, so I am going to go ahead and brag a little too.

19 You all seem to like putting up with fools, so you should be cool with me doing this!

20 You let these people treat you like trash, taking advantage, acting all big and bad. You just take it!

21 I am embarrassed, man, but if these dudes can brag, I will brag too. I am talking crazy here, but let us go.

22 They Hebrews, So am I. They Israelites, Same here. They part of Abraham’s family, Yep, me too.

23 They servants of Christ, I must be out of my mind talking like this, but I have worked harder than them. Been locked up, beaten, and almost dead more times than I can count.

24 Five times I got whipped by the Jews, 39 lashes each time.

25 Three times I got beat with rods. I got stoned once. Shipwrecked three times. I spent a whole day and night out in the open sea.

26 I have been constantly on the move, dodging danger from rivers, robbers, my own people, foreigners, the city, the desert, the sea, danger everywhere.

27 I have worked hard, gone without sleep, food, and water. I have been freezing without proper clothes.

28 And on top of all that, I got the weight of all the churches on me every single day, looking out for everyone’s well-being.

29 Who is struggling, I am right there with them. Who is led into sin, You think I do not feel that,

30 If I must brag, I will brag about my weaknesses, the struggles that keep me humble.

31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, knows I am not lying about any of this.

32 In Damascus, the governor had the city gates locked up tight just to catch me.

33 But they let me down in a basket through a window in the wall, and I got away.