[1] I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to
visions and revelations of the Lord. [2] I know a man in Christ who
fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body
or out of the body I do not know, God knows. [3] And I know that this man
was caught up into Paradise--whether in the body or out of the body I do
not know, God knows-- [4] and he heard things that cannot be told, which
man may not utter. [5] On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own
behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. [6] Though if I wish to
boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I
refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or
hears from me. [7] And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of
revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to
harass me, to keep me from being too elated. [8] Three times I besought the
Lord about this, that it should leave me; [9] but he said to me, "My grace
is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will
all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may
rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with
weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am
weak, then I am strong. [11] I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I
ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these
superlative apostles, even though I am nothing. [12] The signs of a true
apostle were performed among you in all patience, with signs and wonders
and mighty works. [13] For in what were you less favored than the rest of
the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this
wrong! [14] Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will
not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you; for children ought
not to lay up for their parents, but parents for their children. [15] I
will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you the more,
am I to be loved the less? [16] But granting that I myself did not burden
you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by guile. [17] Did I
take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? [18] I urged
Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of
you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?
[19] Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves
before you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ,
and all for your upbuilding, beloved. [20] For I fear that perhaps I may
come and find you not what I wish, and that you may find me not what you
wish; that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness,
slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. [21] I fear that when I come again
my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those
who sinned before and have not repented of the impurity, immorality, and
licentiousness which they have practiced.
