1I must boast, but nothing is gained by it. But I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago who—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know, God knows—was caught up into the third heaven.

3And I know that this man—whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know, God knows—

4was caught up into paradise and heard things too sacred for anyone to say.

5On behalf of such a person I will boast. But on behalf of myself I will not boast, except about my weaknesses.

6If I should choose to boast, I will not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I will keep from boasting, so that no one will think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me.

7To keep me from boasting because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger from Satan to afflict me—so I would not become overly proud.

8Three times I begged the Lord about this, for him to take it away from me.

9But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I would much rather boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ might reside on me.

10Therefore I am content for Christ's sake in weaknesses, in insults, in troubles, in persecutions and distressing situations. For whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

11I have become a fool! You forced me to this, for I should have been praised by you. For I was not at all inferior to the so-called super-apostles, even though I am nothing.

12The true signs of an apostle were performed among you with complete patience, signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

13For how were you less important than the rest of the churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me for this wrong!

14Look! I am ready to come to you a third time. I will not be a burden to you, for I do not want what is yours. I want you. For children should not save up for the parents. Instead, the parents should save up for the children.

15I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

16But as it is, I did not burden you. But, since I am so crafty, I am the one who caught you by deceit.

17Did I take advantage of you by anyone I sent to you?

18I urged Titus to go to you, and I sent the other brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same way? Did we not walk in the same steps?

19Do you think all of this time we have been defending ourselves to you? In the sight of God, we have in Christ been saying everything for your strengthening.

20For I fear that when I come I may not find you as I wish. I fear that you might not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, rivalries, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

21I fear that when I come back, my God might humble me before you. I fear that I might be grieved by many of those who have sinned before now, and who did not repent of the impurity and sexual immorality and lustful indulgence that they practiced.