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¹ Really, to boast is not profitable to me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.² I know a man in Christ fourteen years before--whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third Heaven.³ And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows--⁴ that he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words which a man is not permitted to speak.⁵ On behalf of such a one I will boast. But I will not boast on my behalf, except in my weaknesses.⁶ For if I desire to boast, I will not be foolish, for I speak the truth. But I spare, lest anyone reckons me to be beyond what he sees me or hears anything of me.⁷ And by the superabundance of the revelations, that I not be made arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, that I not be made haughty.⁸ Beyond this I entreated the Lord three times, that it depart from me.⁹ And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness. Therefore, I will rather gladly boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me.¹⁰ Because of this, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in dire needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For when I may be weak, then I am powerful.

¹¹ Boasting, I have become foolish. You compelled me. For I ought to be commended by you, for I lacked nothing of the highest apostles, even though I am nothing.¹² Truly the signs of the apostle were worked out among you in all patience, in miraculous signs, and in wonders, and by works of power.¹³ For what is it in which you were less than the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.¹⁴ Behold, I am ready to come to you a third time . And I will not burden you, for I do not seek your things, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the children.¹⁵ But I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls, even if loving you more and more, I am loved the less.¹⁶ But let it be so, I did not burden you; but being crafty, I took you with bait.¹⁷ By any whom I have sent to you, did I overreach you by him?¹⁸ I begged Titus and sent the brother with him . Did Titus overreach you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?¹⁹ Again, do you think we are defending ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ, but in all things for your building up, beloved.²⁰ For I fear lest somehow, coming, I not find you as I wish, and I be found by you such as you do not wish; lest somehow there be strifes, envyings, angers, rivalries, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances;²¹ that it not be , in my having come again my God may humble me with you, and I shall mourn many of those having previously sinned and not having repented over the uncleanness and fornication and lustful acts which they have practiced.