I must needs boast; though it be not profitable, yet I will come unto visions and revelations of [the] Lord.
I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not: God knoweth), such an one caught up to the third heaven.
And I know such a man (whether in the body or without the body, I know not: God knoweth),
how that he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words which [it is] not lawful for a man to utter.
On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on mine own behalf I will not boast save in [my] weaknesses.
For if I should desire to boast, I shall not be foolish, for I shall speak truth; but I forbear, lest any should account as to me above that which he seeth me or heareth of me.
And that I should not be uplifted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I might not be uplifted overmuch.
For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me;
and he hath said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for [my] power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses that the power of Christ may rest on me.
Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits for Christ; for when I am weak, then am I strong.
I am become foolish, ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I behind those surpassing apostles if also I am nothing.
The signs indeed of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by both signs and wonders and powers.
For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself pressed not heavily on you? Forgive me this wrong.
Behold, this third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not press heavily, for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
And I most gladly will spend and be spent for your souls, if even more abundantly loving you I am less loved.
But be it so: I did not myself burden you, but crafty as I am, I caught you with guile.
Did I make a gain of any of them whom I sent unto you?
I exhorted Titus and sent the brother with [him]: did Titus make any gain of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? [did we] not in the same steps?
Ye long ago think that we excuse ourselves to you. Before God in Christ we speak, but all things, beloved, for your building up.
For I fear lest by any means on coming I find you not such as I wish, and I be found by you such as ye wish not; lest by any means [there be] strife, jealousy, wraths, feuds, slanderings, whisperings, swellings, confusions;
lest on my coming again my God humble me among you, and, bewail many of those that have sinned heretofore and not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and indecency which they committed.