an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their deeds. 16 I repeat, let no one think me foolish; but even if you do, receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I am saying I am not saying as the Lord would, but as a fool, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. 19 For you put up with fools gladly, being so wise yourselves! 20 For you put up with anyone if he makes slaves of you, or preys upon you, or takes advantage of you, or exalts himself, or strikes you in the face. 21 To my shame, I must say that we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast aboutóI am speaking as a foolóI also dare to boast about. 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 am a better oneóI am talking like a madmanóin far more labors, in far more imprisonments, with more beatings, and often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the open sea. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger at sea, and in danger from false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Besides such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I do not inwardly burn? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows 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, 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands. 12 1 I must go on boasting, though there is nothing to be gained by it; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not knowóGod knows. 3 And I know that this manówhether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knowsó4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, which a man is not permitted to tell. 5 On behalf of such a man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 Though if I should boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may