[We say this] because we have such confidence in God through [our relationship with] Christ.

We are encouraged, I say, and would rather be away from our body and at home with the Lord.

Therefore, the Lord says [Isa. 52:11], "You people should leave their company [i.e., unbelievers, verse 14] and separate yourselves from them, and do not touch anything unclean [i.e., their evil practices], and I will welcome you."

But [remember] this: The person who plants only a few seeds will harvest a meager crop. And the one who plants many seeds [Note: The Greek says, "plants with blessings"] will harvest a bumper crop.

Such people should consider this: What we say in our letters when we are away is what we will do when we are there.

[Jer. 9:24 says], "But the person who boasts should boast about the Lord."

Again I say, no one should think I am foolish, but if you do, [then] accept me that way, so that I too can boast a little bit.

What I am saying in this boastful [show of] confidence is not what the Lord would [say], but is [just plain] "foolishness."

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.

This will be my third visit to you. [Deut. 19:15 says], "Every matter should be settled by the testimony of two or three witnesses."