1I must boast; it is not profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
3And I know that such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—
4that he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not permitted for a man to speak.
5On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
6For if I should want to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain, so that no one may credit to me more than what he sees in me or hears from me.
7—and because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. Therefore, so that I might not become conceited, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment me, so that I might not become conceited.
8Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times, that it might depart from me.
9And he has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with hardships, with persecutions and distresses, for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
11I have become foolish; you compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the super-apostles, even if I am nothing.
12Indeed the signs of an apostle were performed among you with all endurance, with signs and wonders and miracles.
13For in what way were you made inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden; for I do not seek what is yours but you. For children ought not to store up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I to be loved less?
16But let it be so: I did not burden you. Yet, being crafty, I took you by deceit.
17Did I take advantage of you through any of those I sent to you?
18I urged Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not walk by the same Spirit? Did we not walk in the same footsteps?
19Have you been thinking all along that we are defending ourselves to you? It is before God, in Christ, that we speak; and all these things, beloved, are for your building up.
20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may not find you as I wish, and I may be found by you such as you do not wish—that perhaps there may be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slanders, gossip, arrogant attitudes, disorders;
21that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who sinned before and have not repented of the impurity and sexual immorality and sensuality that they practiced.
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