1 ¶ I must go on. Although there is nothing to be gained from boasting, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. (Whether it was in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God alone knows).

3 And I know that this man, (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I do not know: God alone knows);

4 Was caught up into paradise, and heard inexpressible truths, that no human being can put into words.

5 I will boast of one like that: but I will not boast of myself, except about my weaknesses.

6 For if I ever want to boast, I will not be doing so as a fool; for I will be speaking the truth: but I am going to stop, so that no one will think more highly of me than is warranted by what I do or say.

7 And to keep me from swelling with pride, because of the great and wonderful things that were revealed to me, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to afflict me, so that I would not become conceited.

8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times, to take it away from me.

9 But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast of my weaknesses all the more gladly, so that the power of Christ will rest upon me.

10 That is why I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

11 ¶ I have been bragging like a fool; but you drove me to it: I should be commended by you: for I am in no way inferior to these phony super apostles, even though I am nothing.

12 The signs of a true apostle were patiently done in your midst, including miracles, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

13 In what way then were you treated worse than other churches, except in that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time; and I will not be a burden to you: for I am not after what you have, but you: for children should not lay up treasure for their parents, but parents for their children.

15 And I will very gladly spend what I have and myself as well for your spiritual wellbeing; though the more love I show you, the less I am loved.

16 But be that as it may, I was no burden to you: nevertheless, some say I was I being crafty, that I used a trick to gain you.

17 Did I take advantage of you through any of the men I sent to you?

18 I urged Titus to go, and sent a brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? didn’t we walk in the same spirit? didn’t he follow in my steps?

19 Again, have you been thinking all along that we are only defending ourselves before you? we are speaking in the presence of God as Christ’s representatives: but all we do, dearly beloved, is for your edification.

20 For I am afraid that when I come, I will not find you as I want you to be, and that you will not find me as you want me to be: and there may be quarreling, jealously, anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance, disorder: