Open English Translation 2COR Chapter 11

11 I wish you all could tolerate a bit of foolishness from me, but yes, you do tolerate me, 2 because I’m jealous of you all with godly jealousy as I had committed you to your future husband—a pure bride to present to the messiah. 3 [ref]But I’m afraid that just as the crafty serpent somehow deceived Heva (Eve), your thinking might get corrupted from its sincerity and purity in the messiah. 4 Indeed even if another Yeshua came and proclaimed something different from what we proclaimed, or if you receive another spirit that you hadn’t received already, or a good message different from what you’ve already heard, you might tolerate it.

5 I reckon that I wasn’t deficient compared to the ‘super missionaries’, 6 but even if my speaking is just ordinary, my knowledge isn’t and I’ve made everything clear to you all in every way.

7 Or did I disobey God when I humbled myself so that all of you might be elevated, because I shared the good message with you all without any personal gain? 8 I’ve ‘robbed’ other assemblies in order to support my ministry to all of you, 9 [ref]and when I was with you and needed something, I wasn’t a burden to anyone, because the believers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. Thus I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will keep doing so. 10 The messiah’s truth is in me such that my boasting in the regions of Achaia won’t be stopped. 11 Why’s that? Because I don’t love you all? God knows that I do.

12 But what I’m doing, I’ll keep on doing, so that I can deny the opportunity to those people who’re looking for an opportunity so that what they boast about, we’ll already be doing, 13 because they are false ambassadors and deceitful workers—masquerading themselves as Messiah’s missionaries, 14 and that’s no surprise because Satan himself masquerades as a messenger of light. 15 So then it’s no great surprise if his servants are masquerading as God’s servants, but their end will be the consequence of their actions.

16 I’ll say it again: no one should suppose that I’m foolish, but if they do, at least accept me as foolish so that I can also boast a little. 17 When I say that, I’m not talking words from the master, but like a fool confidently boasting. 18 Many boast like worldly people, so I’ll boast as well, 19 because you prudent ones happily tolerate foolish people. 20 Yes, you tolerate those who’ll enslave you all, those who’ll exploit you, those who’ll take advantage of you all, those who promote themselves, and anyone whacks you in the face. 21 I’m talking about dishonour as if we were weak, but (speaking foolishly again), anything that anyone else is brave enough to do, then I will also be brave enough to match. 22 Are they Hebrews? I am too. Are they Israelis? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? Me also. 23 [ref]Are they Messiah’s servants? Well, I’m above them (speaking insanely now): I’ve worked harder, been in prison more often, endured uncountable beatings, and been close to death more often. 24 [ref]I’ve received the thirty-nine lashes from the Jewish leadership five times, 25 [ref]was beaten three times with rods, was stoned once, shipwrecked three times, and I was in the ocean for a day and a night. 26 [ref]I’ve done many long trips, crossed dangerous rivers, risked being robbed, was persecuted by my own people as well as by non-Jews, have been in danger in the city, in the wilderness and on the ocean, as well as being attacked by false teachers. 27 I’ve worked often and worked hard, often needing to keep guard, suffered famine and thirst, fasted often, and been cold and lacking clothing. 28 Then apart from all those external things, I’ve been opposed every day—not to mention my concern for all the assemblies. 29 What person falters and I don’t falter with them? Who stumbles in their walk with God and I don’t suffer with them?

30 If it’s appropriate to be boasting, what I’d boast about would be my weaknesses. 31 The god and father of the master Yeshua—the one who should be praised for all the ages—knows that I’m not lying. 32 [ref]The governor of Aretas (appointed by the king) had guards around the city of Damascus to try to arrest me, 33 but I was lowered down from a window in the city wall in a basket and thus able to escape his clutch.