Paul’s Hardships

We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything
we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.
We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone
without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within
us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of
righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. We serve God whether people honor us or despise
us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are ignored, even though we are
well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts
ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have
everything.

Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. There is no lack of love
on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open
your hearts to us!