The Vision of Paradise
1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come tovisions andrevelations of the Lord:
2 I know a manin Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a onewas 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 how he was caught up intoParadise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will notboast, except in my infirmities.
6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees metobeor hears from me.
The Thorn in the Flesh
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, athorn in the flesh was given to me,a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
9 And He said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore most gladlyI will rather boast in my infirmities,that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 ThereforeI take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Signs of an Apostle
11 I have becomea fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; forin nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, thoughI am nothing.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs andwonders and mightydeeds.
13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
Love for the Church
14 Nowforthe third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; forI 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 very gladly spend and be spentfor your souls; thoughthe more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
16 But be thatasitmay,I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!
17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?
18 I urged Titus, and sent ourbrother withhim.Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Didwenotwalkin the same steps?
19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you?We speak before God in Christ.Butwedoall things, beloved, for your edification.
20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, andthatI shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lesttherebecontentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;
21 lest, when I come again, my Godwill humble me among you, and I shall mourn for manywho have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness,fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.