Bear with me, jealous o'er you - for the Lord I've picked
You a chaste virgin, but fear, like Eve, you'll be tricked.
You'd bear false apostles, but by none I'm bested -
In speech poor, yet not in knowledge. I've invested
In you, I boast, at no charge - others supported!
Don't by satan's disguised ministers be courted!
As a fool, let me boast, for to fools you listen -
I'm just as qualified - oft flogged, oft in prison,
Whipped five times, beat thrice with rods, stoned, in 3 shipwrecks,
In journeying perils from thieves, Jews, Gentiles, sects!
Wearied, burdened for all the churches - the demands!
In Damascus I scarce escaped the gov'nor's hands!
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