to keep me -- not to mention you -- from being humiliated for having such confidence in you, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready.

You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.

Of many who, through the proof of this ministry, are glorifying God for your acknowledged submission unto the glad-message of the Christ, and for the liberality of the fellowship, unto them, and unto all, -

and [they are] longing for you in their prayers for you, because of the surpassing grace of God to you.

I beg you that when I am present I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are behaving in an unspiritual way.

For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way,

for the weapons of my warfare are not weapons of the flesh, but mighty for God, in pulling down all fortresses.

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience has been confirmed.

The things that lie on the surface, ye are looking at: - if anyone hath come to trust in himself that he is, Christ's, this, let him reckon, again, with himself - that, even as, he, is Christ's, so, also are, we.

"His letters indeed," says one, "are mighty and forcible, but his personality is weak, and his speech contemptible."

This, let such a one reckon - that, what we are, in our word, through means of letters, being absent, such, also, being present, are we, in our deed.

I have not indeed the audacity to class myself among, or compare myself with, certain of the self-commenders; yet they are not wise in measuring themselves by one another and in comparing themselves with one another.

We, however, will not boast beyond measure but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned to us, which reaches even to you.

For, not as though we were not reaching unto you, are we over-stretching ourselves, for, as far as even you, were we beforehand in the glad-message of the Christ:

We are not bragging beyond measure about other people’s labors. But we have the hope that as your faith increases, our area of ministry will be greatly enlarged,

so that we may proclaim the good news to the regions beyond you, not boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area of ministry.

I wish that you would put up with me {in something a little foolish}--but indeed you are putting up with me.

But I fear lest, by any means, as, the serpent, completely deceived Eve, in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the singleness and the chastenesswhich are due unto the Christ.

If indeed some one is coming to preach another Jesus, whom I did not preach, or you are receiving a Spirit other than you once received, or another gospel which you did not accept before, you would do well to bear with me.

For I reckon that in nothing I am behind those who are in surpassing degree apostles.

Though I be rude in speaking, yet I am not so in knowledge. Howbeit, among you we are known to the utmost what we are in all things.

But, what I am doing, I also will do, - that I may cut off the occasion of them who are wishing an occasion, that, wherein they are boasting themselves, they may be found even as also, we.

For such fellows are sham apostles of Christ.

No great thing, therefore, if, his ministers also, are transfiguring themselves as ministers of righteousness! - whose end, shall be according to their works.

That I speak, I speak it not after the ways of the Lord: but as it were foolishly, while we are now come to boasting.

Since so many are making worldly boasts, I shall boast, too!

Although you are wise, you put up with fools willingly enough!

I am ashamed to say that we were [too] weak to do such things. [Note: Paul is probably saying, sarcastically, "We are too 'weak' to take financial advantage of people and mistreat them the way those 'super apostles' there in Corinth were doing"]. Yet, in whatever [matters] anyone [there] dares to boast about, (now I am really speaking foolishly), I will dare to boast also.

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they descendants of Israel? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as though I were beside myself), such, far, more, am I; in labors more abundant, in imprisonments also more abundant, in floggings beyond measure, in deaths often.

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be praise for ever, is witness that the things which I say are true.

I know a man in [fellowship with] Christ who, fourteen years ago, was taken [literally, "snatched"] up to the third heaven. [Note: The first heaven would be where birds fly; the second where the stars are; and the third where God is]. (I do not know whether he was in his physical body or whether it was an "out-of-the-body" experience, but God knows). [Note: Paul is obviously telling about a personal experience. See verse 7].

that he was caught up into the paradise, and heard inexpressible sayings that are not permitted for a man to utter.

but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.

That is why I am pleased with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties, when they are endured for Christ's sake, for it is when I am weak that I am strong.

For indeed the signs of the apostleship are wrought in me in all patience, in miracles and in wonders and in dynamites.

{For in what respect are you made worse off} more than the rest of the churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Now I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, for I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

And I will be glad to spend all I have and all I am for your sake. Are you going to love me the less for loving you so intensely?

So, let it be [said] that I did not become a burden to you. But being a clever person, [some are saying] that I took you in by trickery. [Note: Paul is saying that even though he took no financial support from the church, they are accusing him of taking financial advantage of them through other people].

All this time, think ye, that, unto you, we are making a defence? Before God in Christ, we speak; - but all these things, beloved, for your upbuilding.

yet I fear when I do come I shall not find you such as I would, and that you will find me such as you least desire: I am afraid there are among you debates, envyings, animosities, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, arrogance, tumults:

Since, a test, ye are seeking, of the speaking in me of Christ; - who, unto you, is not weak, but is powerful in you, -

For, although he was crucified through weakness, yet is he living through God's power, - for, although, we, are weak in him, yet shall we live with him, through God's power unto us-

Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith; put your own selves to the proof. Or do you not know, your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless indeed you fail to abide the proof?

And I hope you will recognize that we do not fail the test.

Now we pray to God that you not do wrong in any way, not that we are seen as approved, but that you do what is good, even [though] we are [seen] as though unqualified.

For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

For I am always glad whenever I am weak, but you are strong. For this also I am praying, for your perfect reformation.