1 Well, it is not of profit to me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of {the} Lord.2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, (whether in {the} body I know not, or out of the body I know not, God knows;) such {a one} caught up to {the} third heaven.3 And I know such a man, (whether in {the} body or out of the body I know not, God knows;)4 that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter.5 Of such {a one} I will boast, but of myself I will not boast, unless in my weaknesses.6 For if I shall desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say {the} truth; but I forbear, lest any one should think as to me above what he sees me {to be}, or whatever he may hear of me.7 And that I might not be exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted.8 For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me.9 And he said to me, My grace suffices thee; for {my} power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me.10 Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.11 I have become a fool; *ye* have compelled me; for *I* ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing.12 The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power.13 For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.14 Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; for I do not seek yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.15 Now *I* shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved.16 But be it so. *I* did not burden you, but being crafty I took you by guile.17 Did I make gain of you by any of those whom I have sent to you?18 I begged Titus, and sent the brother with {him}: did Titus at all make gain of you? have we not walked in the same spirit? {have we} not in the same steps?19 Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up.20 For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish, and that *I* be found by you such as ye do not wish: lest {there might be} strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances;21 lest my God should humble me as to you when I come again, and that I shall grieve over many of those who have sinned before, and have not repented as to the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practised.

1 Dit is waarlik vir my nie nuttig om te roem nie, want ek sal kom tot gesigte en openbaringe van die Here.2 Ek weet van 'n man in Christus, veertien jaar gelede -- of dit in die liggaam was, weet ek nie, of buite die liggaam, weet ek nie, God weet dit -- dat so iemand weggeruk is tot in die derde hemel.3 En ek weet van so 'n man -- of dit in die liggaam of buite die liggaam was, weet ek nie, God weet dit --4 dat hy weggeruk is in die Paradys en onuitspreeklike woorde gehoor het wat 'n mens nie mag uitspreek nie.5 Oor so 'n man sal ek roem, maar oor myself sal ek nie roem nie, behalwe in my swakhede.6 Want as ek sou wil roem, sou ek nie 'n dwaas wees nie, want ek sou die waarheid praat; maar ek laat dit n , sodat niemand my hoër mag skat as wat hy van my sien of wat hy van my hoor nie.7 En dat ek my oor die voortreflikheid van die openbaringe nie sou verhef nie, is my 'n doring in die vlees gegee, 'n engel van die Satan, om my met die vuis te slaan, dat ek my nie sou verhef nie.8 Hieroor het ek die Here drie maal gebid, dat hy van my sou wyk.9 En Hy het vir my gesê: My genade is vir jou genoeg, want my krag word in swakheid volbring. Baie liewer sal ek dus in my swakhede roem, sodat die krag van Christus in my kan woon.10 Daarom het ek behae in swakhede, in mishandelinge, in node, in vervolginge, in benoudhede, om Christus wil. Want as ek swak is, dan is ek sterk.11 Al roemende het ek dwaas geword. Julle het my daartoe genoodsaak. Want ek moes deur julle aanbeveel geword het; want ek het niks by die uitnemende apostels agtergestaan nie, al is ek niks nie.12 Die kentekens tog van 'n apostel is onder julle verwerklik met alle volharding deur tekens en wonders en kragtige dade.13 Want wat is daar waarin julle oortref word deur die ander gemeentes, behalwe dat ek persoonlik julle nie lastig geval het nie? Vergeef my hierdie onreg.14 Kyk, vir die derde keer is ek gereed om na julle te kom; en ek sal julle nie lastig val nie, want ek soek nie julle goed nie, maar julle self; want dit is nie die kinders wat vir die ouers moet opgaar nie, maar die ouers vir die kinders.15 En ek sal baie graag uitgee, ja, myself weggee vir julle siele, al word ek, terwyl ek julle oorvloediger liefhet, minder bemin.16 Maar laat dit so wees! Ek het julle nie beswaar nie, maar omdat ek slim was, het ek julle met lis gevang.17 Het ek my dan ten koste van julle bevoordeel deur een van die wat ek na julle gestuur het?18 Ek het Titus gevra en die broeder saamgestuur. Het Titus hom dan ten koste van julle bevoordeel? Het ons nie in dieselfde gees, in dieselfde spore gewandel nie?19 Dink julle weer dat ons ons by julle verdedig? Ons spreek in die teenwoordigheid van God in Christus, en dit alles, geliefdes, tot julle stigting.20 Want ek vrees dat ek julle by my koms miskien nie sal vind soos ek wens nie, en dat ek deur julle gevind sal word soos julle nie wens nie -- dat daar miskien sal wees twis, jaloersheid, toornigheid, verdeeldheid, kwaadsprekery, nuusdraery, verwaandheid, wanordelikheid;21 dat as ek gekom het, my God my miskien weer by julle sal verneder en ek sal treur oor baie van die wat vroeër gesondig het en hulle nie bekeer het van die onreinheid en hoerery en ongebondenheid wat hulle bedryf het nie.