1It does me no good to boast. Still, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2I knew a man in Christ, more than fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body, I cannot tell, or out of the body, I cannot tell; God knows. This man was caught up to the third heaven.
3And I knew such a man - whether in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell; God knows -
4who was caught up into paradise. He heard words that cannot be told, words that no one is allowed to speak.
5About such a man I will boast. But about myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
6Even if I did want to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be telling the truth. But I hold back. I do not want anyone to think more of me than what he sees in me, or what he hears about me.
7And so that I should not be lifted up too high by all these revelations, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to beat me, so that I should not be lifted up too high.
8Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it would leave me.
9And he said to me, "My grace is enough for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness." So I will boast most gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
10So I am glad of weaknesses, of insults, of hardships, of persecutions, of troubles, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11I have become a fool in boasting. You forced me to it. It was you who should have spoken well of me. For in nothing am I less than the very greatest apostles, even though I am nothing.
12The signs of an apostle were truly done among you, with all patience - signs and wonders and mighty works.
13In what way were you worse off than the other churches? Only in this, that I myself was not a burden to you. Forgive me this wrong.
14Look, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you. I am not looking for what is yours, but for you. Children should not save up for their parents; parents should save up for their children.
15And I will very gladly spend all I have, and be spent myself, for you. If I love you more and more, am I to be loved less?
16But suppose it is so, that I was not a burden to you. Still, being crafty, I caught you with trickery.
17Did I make any profit out of you through any of the men I sent to you?
18I asked Titus to go, and I sent a brother with him. Did Titus make any profit out of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19Again, do you think we are making excuses to you? We speak before God, in Christ. Dear friends, all that we do is to build you up.
20For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and that you may not find me as you want me to be. I am afraid there may be arguments, jealousy, anger, quarrels, slander, gossip, pride and disorder.
21I am afraid that when I come again my God will make me humble before you, and that I will weep over many who have sinned already and have not repented of the impurity and sexual sin and shameless living that they have done.