Are they serving Christ? I am serving him even more. I’m out of my mind to talk like this! I have worked much harder. I have been in prison more often. I have suffered terrible beatings. Again and again I almost died.

他们是基督的仆人吗？（我说句狂话，）我更是。我比他们多受劳苦，多下监牢，受鞭打是过重的，冒死是屡次有的。

他们是基督的用人吗？我说句狂话，我更是。我比他们忍受更多劳苦，坐过更多次监牢，受过无数次的鞭打，常常冒死。

他们是基督的用人吗？我说句狂话，我更是。我比他们忍受更多劳苦，坐过更多次监牢，受过无数次的鞭打，常常冒死。

他们自称是基督的仆人，我说句狂话，我更是！我比他们更辛苦，坐牢更多，身受更重的鞭打，经常出生入死。

他们是基督的仆人吗？说句狂话，我更是。我受更多的劳苦，更多的坐监，受了过量的鞭打，常常有生命的危险。

他们是基督的仆人吗？我狂妄地说：我更是！我受了更多的劳苦，更多的监禁，更多的鞭打，经常面临死亡，

他們是基督的僕人嗎？（我說句狂話，）我更是。我比他們多受勞苦，多下監牢，受鞭打是過重的，冒死是屢次有的。

他們是基督的用人嗎？我說句狂話，我更是。我比他們忍受更多勞苦，坐過更多次監牢，受過無數次的鞭打，常常冒死。

他們是基督的用人嗎？我說句狂話，我更是。我比他們忍受更多勞苦，坐過更多次監牢，受過無數次的鞭打，常常冒死。

他們自稱是基督的僕人，我說句狂話，我更是！我比他們更辛苦，坐牢更多，身受更重的鞭打，經常出生入死。

他們是基督的僕人嗎？說句狂話，我更是。我受更多的勞苦，更多的坐監，受了過量的鞭打，常常有生命的危險。

他們是基督的僕役麼？瘋狂地說吧，我更是。論勞苦、更繁多；論鞭打、屢過次數；論坐監、更多次；論冒死、屢次有。

他們是基督的僕人嗎？我狂妄地說：我更是！我受了更多的勞苦，更多的監禁，更多的鞭打，經常面臨死亡，

彼基督之役乎、我則逾之、此言若狂、蓋我多勤勞、多繫獄、數被箠楚、屢瀕於死、

彼基督僕、而余言若狂、我有大於此者、我愈賢勞、愈受箠楚、繫獄者屢矣、瀕死者屢矣、

彼基督之役乎、我更是也、我言此似狂、我較彼逾勞、逾受笞責、屢次繫獄、屢次瀕死、

彼為基督之臣僕乎？則恕我放肆、吾更是也。吾視若輩勞苦多矣、繫獄多次、受笞無數、且常處死地、屢遭不測、

Are they servants of Christ?( I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.

Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one— I am talking like a madman— with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.

Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.

Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman— I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death.

Are they servants of Christ?— I am speaking as if insane— I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.

Are they ministers of Christ?— I speak as a fool— I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.

Are they ministers of Christ?( I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft.

Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman— I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, near death many times.

Are they ministers of Christ?( I speak as a fool) I[ am] more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

Are they servants of Christ?( I am talking like I am out of my mind!) I am even more so: with much greater labors, with far more imprisonments, with more severe beatings, facing death many times.

Are they servants of Christ?( I speak as one beside himself.) I am more so: in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, and in deaths often.

Instead, we make it clear that we serve God in every way. We serve him by standing firm in troubles, hard times and suffering.We don’t give up when we are beaten or put in prison. When people stir up trouble in the streets, we continue to serve God. We work hard for him. We go without sleep and food.

But because of God’s grace I am what I am. And his grace was not wasted on me. No, I have worked harder than all the other apostles. But I didn’t do the work. God’s grace was with me.

In fact, we felt as if we were under the sentence of death. But that happened so that we would not depend on ourselves but on God. He raises the dead to life.God has saved us from deadly dangers. And he will continue to do it. We have put our hope in him. He will continue to save us.

I will show him how much he must suffer for me.”

He has given us the power to serve under a new covenant. The covenant is not based on the written Law of Moses. It comes from the Holy Spirit. The written Law kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Five times the Jews gave me 39 strokes with a whip.Three times I was beaten with sticks. Once they tried to kill me by throwing stones at me. Three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.

We are known, but people treat us as if we were unknown. We are dying, but we continue to live. We are beaten, but we are not killed.

I am suffering for it. I have even been put in chains like someone who has committed a crime. But God’s word is not held back by chains.

I am happy because of what I am suffering for you. My suffering joins with and continues the sufferings of Christ. I suffer for his body, which is the church.

And why would we put ourselves in danger every hour?I face death every day. That’s the truth. And here is something you can be just as sure of. I take pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done for you through my work.Did I fight wild animals in Ephesus with nothing more than human hopes? Then what have I gotten for it? If the dead are not raised,“ Let us eat and drink, because tomorrow we will die.”( Isaiah 22:13)

After all, what is Apollos? And what is Paul? We are only people who serve. We helped you to believe. The Lord has given each of us our own work to do.

That’s what I’m working for. I work hard with all the strength of Christ. His strength works powerfully in me.

It is written,“ Because of you, we face death all day long. We are considered as sheep to be killed.”( Psalm 44:22)

One thing has become clear. I am being held by chains because I am a witness for Christ. All the palace guards and everyone else know it.

You are judging only by how things look on the surface. Suppose someone is sure they belong to Christ. Then they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do.

When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself. But a soldier guarded him.

It was decided that we would sail for Italy. Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a Roman commander named Julius. He belonged to the Imperial Guard.

I don’t think I’m in any way less important than those“ super- apostles.”

He was hoping that Paul would offer him some money to let him go. So he often sent for Paul and talked with him.Two years passed. Porcius Festus took the place of Felix. But Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor. So he left Paul in prison.

They were whipped without mercy. Then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.When he received these orders, he put Paul and Silas deep inside the prison. He fastened their feet so they couldn’t get away.

We sent our brother Timothy to give you strength and hope in your faith. He works together with us in God’s service to spread the good news about Christ.

I, Paul, am a prisoner because of Christ Jesus. I am in prison because of my work among you who are Gentiles.

You suffered along with people in prison. When your property was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew that God had given you better and more lasting things.

I only know that in every city the Spirit warns me. He tells me that I will face prison and suffering.

Because of the good news, I am being held by chains as the Lord’s messenger. So pray that I will be bold as I preach the good news. That’s what I should do.

Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium. They won the crowd over to their side. They threw stones at Paul. They thought he was dead, so they dragged him out of the city.

For two whole years Paul stayed there in a house he rented. He welcomed all who came to see him.

We who are alive are always in danger of death because we are serving Jesus. This happens so that his life can also be shown in our earthly bodies.

They were spending many days there. So Festus talked with the king about Paul’s case. He said,“ There’s a man here that Felix left as a prisoner.

I am a prisoner because of the Lord. So I am asking you to live a life worthy of what God chose you for.

He came over to us. Then he took Paul’s belt and tied his own hands and feet with it. He said,“ The Holy Spirit says,‘ This is how the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will tie up the owner of this belt. They will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ”

Point out these things to the brothers and sisters. Then you will serve Christ Jesus well. You will show that you’ve grown in the truths of the faith. You will show that you’ve been trained by the good teaching you’ve obeyed.

But we love each other. And I would rather appeal to you on the basis of that love. I, Paul, am an old man. I am now also a prisoner because of Christ Jesus.

I have made a fool of myself. But you made me do it. You should have praised me. Even though I am nothing, I am in no way less important than the“ super- apostles.”While I was with you, I kept on showing you the actions of a true apostle. These actions include signs, wonders and miracles.

So don’t be ashamed of the message about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, join with me as I suffer for the good news. God’s power will help us do that.

May the Lord show mercy to all who live in the house of Onesiphorus. He often encouraged me. He was not ashamed that I was being held by chains.

But my life might even be poured out like a drink offering on your sacrifices. I’m talking about the way you serve because you believe. Even so, I am glad. I am joyful with all of you.

So here is how you should think of us. We serve Christ. We are trusted with the mysteries God has shown us.