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is necessary to boast. Although there is nothing to be gained by it, yet I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up into the third heaven. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into Paradise, where he heard inexpressible things, which no mortal man is permitted to repeat. 5 I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except of my weaknesses. 6 Even if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I will refrain from this, so that no one can think more of me beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7 especially considering the extraordinary revelations.
Therefore, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, so I would not exalt myself. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest upon me. 10 That is why I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 I have become a fool, for you have compelled me. I ought to have been commended by you, since I am not at all inferior to the ‘super- apostles’, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of an apostle were performed among you with great perseverance, not only signs but also wonders and miracles. 13 So how were you worse off than the other churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time. I will not be a burden to you, for I am not seeking what is yours, but you. After all, children should not have to save up for the parents, but the parents for their children. 15 So I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, and I to be loved less? 16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by cunning! 17 Did I take advantage of you by any whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go to you, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking for Christ in the sight of God. Everything we do, dear friends, is for the sake of building you up. 20 For I am afraid that when I come to you, I may find you not as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will grieve for many who have sinned previously and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery they have practised.