| 1 | To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. |
| 2 | I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago—whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God hath known—such an one being caught away unto the third heaven; |
| 3 | and I have known such a man—whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God hath known, -- |
| 4 | that he was caught away to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak. |
| 5 | Of such an one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities, |
| 6 | for if I may wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for truth I will say; but I forebear, lest any one in regard to me may think anything above what he doth see me, or doth hear anything of me; |
| 7 | and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of the Adversary, that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted overmuch. |
| 8 | Concerning this thing thrice the Lord did I call upon, that it might depart from me, |
| 9 | and He said to me, 'Sufficient for thee is My grace, for My power in infirmity is perfected;' most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may rest on me: |
| 10 | wherefore I am well pleased in infirmities, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses—for Christ; for whenever I am infirm, then I am powerful; |
| 11 | I have become a fool—boasting; ye—ye did compel me; for I ought by you to have been commended, for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles—even if I am nothing. |
| 12 | The signs, indeed, of the apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds, |
| 13 | for what is there in which ye were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this injustice! |
| 14 | Lo, a third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not be a burden to you, for I seek not yours, but you, for the children ought not for the parents to lay up, but the parents for the children, |
| 15 | and I most gladly will spend and be entirely spent for your souls, even if, more abundantly loving you, less I am loved. |
| 16 | And be it [so], I—I did not burden you, but being crafty, with guile I did take you; |
| 17 | any one of those whom I have sent unto you—by him did I take advantage of you? |
| 18 | I entreated Titus, and did send with [him] the brother; did Titus take advantage of you? in the same spirit did we not walk?—did we not in the same steps? |
| 19 | Again, think ye that to you we are making defence? before God in Christ do we speak; and the all things, beloved, [are] for your up-building, |
| 20 | for I fear lest, having come, not such as I wish I may find you, and I—I may be found by you such as ye do not wish, lest there be strifes, envyings, wraths, revelries, evil-speakings, whisperings, puffings up, insurrections, |
| 21 | lest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may bewail many of those having sinned before, and not having reformed concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and lasciviousness, that they did practise. |