# It would be better for me to die than—No one will deprive me of this boast!
Paul seems to have started a new sentence before finishing the first one. Some versions read, "It would be better for me to die than to have someone deprive me of this boast," as some versions read.
# It would be better for me to
"I would rather." Paul is speaking of what he desires, not necessarily of what God thinks is best.