- 1. Well, it is not of profit to me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of [the] Lord.
- 2. I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, (whether in [the] body I know not, or out of the body I know not, God knows;) such [a one] caught up to [the] third heaven.
- 3. And I know such a man, (whether in [the] body or out of the body I know not, God knows;)
- 4. that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter.
- 5. Of such [a one] I will boast, but of myself I will not boast, unless in my weaknesses.
- 6. For if I shall desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say [the] truth; but I forbear, lest any one should think as to me above what he sees me [to be], or whatever he may hear of me.
- 7. And that I might not be exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted.
- 8. For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me.
- 9. And he said to me, My grace suffices thee; for [my] power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me.
- 10. Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.
- 11. I have become a fool; *ye* have compelled me; for *I* ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing.
- 12. The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power.
- 13. For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.
- 14. Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; for I do not seek yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
- 15. Now *I* shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved.
- 16. But be it so. *I* did not burden you, but being crafty I took you by guile.
- 17. Did I make gain of you by any of those whom I have sent to you?
- 18. I begged Titus, and sent the brother with [him]: did Titus at all make gain of you? have we not walked in the same spirit? [have we] not in the same steps?
- 19. Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up.
- 20. For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish, and that *I* be found by you such as ye do not wish: lest [there might be] strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances;
- 21. lest my God should humble me as to you when I come again, and that I shall grieve over many of those who have sinned before, and have not repented as to the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practised.
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