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¹ I might boast, but it is not expedient; for I come to visions and revelations of the Lord.² 2 I knew [fn] a man in the Meshiha fourteen years ago, [fn] -whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not, Aloha himself knoweth, -who, this one himself, was rapt unto the third [fn] of heaven. [fn] ³ And I know this man himself,-but whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not, Aloha himself knoweth,⁴ -and he was rapt into paradise, and heard words which are not uttered, those which it is not lawful for a man to utter.⁵ Of this I boast; but of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.⁶ Yet if I willed to boast, I should not be a fool, for I say the truth; but I spare, lest any one think of me beyond that which he seeth me (to be), and what he heareth of me.⁷ And that I might not be exalted by the abundance of revelations, there was delivered to me a stimulus of my flesh, an angel of Satana to buffet me, that I might not be exalted.⁸ Concerning this three times I entreated of my Lord that it might be removed from me.⁹ And he said to me, My grace sufficeth thee; for my power in weakness is perfected. Gladly therefore will I boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Meshiha may overshadow me.¹⁰ For this cause I am willing in infirmities, in reviling, in affliction, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of the Meshiha; for when I am weak, then am I strong.

¹¹ Behold, I have been deficient in mind in my boasting, because you have constrained me; for you were debtors to bear witness concerning me; because in nothing am I less than those apostles who are the most eminent, nevertheless I am not any thing.¹² The signs of the apostles I have wrought among you in all patience, and with mighty acts and miracles and with powers.¹³ For in what have you been less than the other churches, except in this, that I have not burdened you? Forgive me this offence.¹⁴ Behold, this is three times that I prepare to come to you, and not to burden you; for I seek not yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasures for the parents, but the parents for their children.¹⁵ But I gladly the expenses will spend, and also myself will I give for the sake of your souls: though, while the more I love you, you the less love me.¹⁶ And, perhaps, (though) I did not burden you, yet (it may be said), as a crafty man with deceit I have robbed you.¹⁷ By any other whom I have sent to you have I made prey of you?¹⁸ 18 Of Titos I requested, and sent with him the brethren. [fn] In any thing has Titos made prey of you ? Have we not walked in one spirit, and in the same steps? ¹⁹ DO you again consider that we apologize to you ? Before Aloha in the Meshiha do we speak; and all, my beloved, for the sake of your up-building.²⁰ For I fear lest, when I come to you, I should not find you as I wish, but should find you what you would not wish: lest there be contention and envy, and wrath and angry talk, and accusations and murmurings, and pompousness and agitation:²¹ and lest, when I come to you, my God may humiliate me, and I may have to lament over many who have sinned, and have not repented of the uncleanness and of the fornication and of the lasciviousness which they have committed.