1 It behooves me to glory, indeed it is not profitable, I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I know not; whether out of the body, I know not, such a one having been caught up even to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not; God knows,
4 that he was caught up to Paradise, and heard unutterable words, which it is impossible for a man to speak.
5 Concerning such a one I will glory: but concerning myself I will not glory, except in my infirmities.
6 For if I shall wish to glory, I will not be a fool; for I speak the truth: but I fear, lest some one may consider with reference to me above what he sees me, or hears from me.
7 And that I may not be exalted by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given unto me in the flesh, the messenger of Satan that he may buffet me, in order that I may not be exalted.
8 Three times I called on the Lord concerning this, that it may depart from me.
9 And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most delightfully I will glory the more in my infirmities, in order that the power of Christ may abide on me.
10 Therefore I delight in infirmities, in insults, in difficulties, in persecutions, and in tight places, for Christ's sake: for when I am without strength, then I am dynamite.
11 I have become a fool: you did compel me. For I ought to be commended by you: for I am not inferior to the very chief of the apostles, if indeed I am nothing.
12 For indeed the signs of the apostleship are wrought in me in all patience, in miracles and in wonders and in dynamites.
13 For what is that in which you are inferior to other churches, except that I did not burden you? forgive me this wrong.
14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not spare: for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasures for the parents, but the parents for the children,
15 But I will most delightfully spend and be spent for your souls. If the more abundantly I love you am I loved the less?
16 But let it he so, I did not burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
17 Which one of those whom I sent unto you, did I fleece you through him?
18 I called Titus, and sent the brother along with him: whether did Titus defraud you? did we not walk by the same Spirit? did we not in the same tracks?
19 For a long time you were thinking that I am apologizing to you. We speak before God in Christ; but all things, beloved, are for your edification.
20 For I fear lest, having come, I may not find you as I wish, and may not be found by you as you wish; lest perhaps strife, jealousy, animosities, selfseekings, calumniations, eavesdroppings, inflations, outfallings, are among you;
21 lest, I again having come, my God will humble me before you, and I will mourn over many of those having previously committed sins, and not having repented over the uncleanness and the fornication and debauchery which they have done.