1 To boast is doubtless not profitable for me; for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know; or out of the body, I do not know; God knows) was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know such a man (whether in the body or apart from the body, I do not know; God knows),
4 how 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 boast; but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
6 For if I should wish to boast, I shall not be foolish, for I will speak the truth; but I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees me to be or hears from me.
7 And so that I might not be exalted above measure by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, so that I might not be exalted above measure.
8 Three times I begged the Lord about this, 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 boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may spread its tent over me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
11 I have become foolish in boasting; you compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing did I fall short of the very chief apostles, even if I am nothing.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were performed among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
13 For in what were you inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 See, 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 utterly spent for your souls, even if, loving you more abundantly, I am loved the less.
16 But be it so: I did not burden you; yet, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you?
18 I urged Titus to go, and with him I sent the brother. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 Again, do you think we are making our defense to you? Before God in Christ we speak; and all things, beloved, are for your building up.
20 For I fear that perhaps, when I come, I may find you not as I wish, and that I may be found by you not as you wish; that perhaps there may be strifes, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, rivalries, backbitings, whisperings, conceit, disorders;
21 and that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and sensuality that they practiced.