^8 [a]We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair;^{(A) 9} persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; ^10 [b](B)always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.^(C)

^23 [a]Are they ministers of Christ? (I am talking like an insane person.)^(A) I am still more,^[b] with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, far worse beatings, and numerous brushes with death. ²⁴ Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes minus one.^{(B) 25} Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep;^{(C) 26} on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; ²⁷ in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure.^(D)

^9 [a]For as I see it, God has exhibited us apostles as the last of all, like people sentenced to death, since we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and human beings alike.^{(A) 10} We are fools on Christ’s account, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are held in honor, but we in disrepute.^{(B) 11} To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clad and roughly treated, we wander about homeless^{(C) 12} and we toil, working with our own hands. When ridiculed, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;^{(D) 13} when slandered, we respond gently. We have become like the world’s rubbish, the scum of all, to this very moment.