1I must glory, though it is not profitable; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I know a man in Messiah, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know; or whether out of the body, I do not know; God knows), such a one caught up even to the third heaven. 3And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I do not know; God knows), 4how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5On behalf of such a one I will glory: but on my own behalf I will not glory, except in my weaknesses. 6For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I refrain, lest any man should think of me above that which he sees me to be, or hears from me. 7And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted too much, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted too much. 8Concerning this thing I begged the Lord three times, that it might depart from me. 9And he has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Messiah may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Messiah’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong. 11I have become foolish: you compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. 12Truly the signs of an apostle were performed among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works. 13For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong. 14Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I do not seek what is yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? 16But be that as it may, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent to you? 18I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? did we not walk in the same spirit? did we not walk in the same steps? 19You think all this time that we are excusing ourselves to you. In the sight of God we speak in Messiah. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. 20For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I want, and should myself be found by you such as you do not want; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, arrogance, tumults; 21lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of those who have sinned before, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed.