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¹ To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the LORD.² I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago—whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God has known—such a one being snatched up to the third heaven;³ and I have known such a man—whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God has known—⁴ that he was snatched up to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.⁵ Of such a one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses,⁶ for if I may wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will say truth; but I refrain, lest in regard to me anyone may think anything above what he sees me, or hears anything of me;⁷ and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted too much, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might batter me, that I might not be exalted too much.⁸ I called on the LORD three times concerning this thing, that it might depart from me,⁹ and He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness"; most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may rest on me:¹⁰ for this reason I am well pleased in weaknesses, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses—for Christ; for whenever I may be weak, then I am powerful;

¹¹ I have become a fool—boasting; you compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you, for I was behind the very chiefest apostles in nothing—even if I am nothing.¹² The signs, indeed, of the apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds,¹³ for what is there in which you were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice!¹⁴ Behold, a third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, 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 and I will most gladly spend and be entirely spent for your souls, even if, loving you more abundantly, I am loved less.¹⁶ And be it [so], I did not burden you, but being crafty, I took you with guile;¹⁷ anyone of those whom I have sent to you—did I take advantage of you by him?¹⁸ I begged Titus, and sent with [him] the brother; did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same Spirit? Did we not [walk] in the same steps?¹⁹ Again, [do] you think that we are making defense to you? We speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, [are] for your up-building,²⁰ for I fear lest, having come, I may not find you such as I wish, and I may be found by you such as you do not wish, lest there be strifes, envyings, wraths, revelries, slanders, whisperings, puffings up, insurrections,²¹ lest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may mourn many of those having sinned before, and having not changed their mind concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and licentiousness, that they practiced.