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¹ I must surely glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.² I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know; or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.³ And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I don't know; God knows),⁴ how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.⁵ On behalf of such a one I will glory: but on my own behalf I will not glory, save in [my] weaknesses.⁶ For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he sees me [to be], or hears from me.⁷ And 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.⁸ Concerning this thing I implored the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.⁹ And 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 Christ may rest on me.¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions and distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.

¹¹ I have become foolish: you compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.¹² Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, both by signs and wonders, and mighty works.¹³ For what is there wherein you were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except [it is] that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.¹⁴ Look, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I don't 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 spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?¹⁶ But let it be so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent to you?¹⁸ I 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?¹⁹ You think all this time that we are excusing ourselves to you. In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, [are] for your edifying.²⁰ For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I want, and should myself be found of you such as you do not want; lest by any means [there should be] strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;²¹ lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of those that have sinned before, and didn't repent of the impurity and fornication and sexual immorality which they committed.