1 I must surely glory, though it is not expedient; but 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 don't know; or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.

3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I don't know; God knows),

4 how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 On behalf of such a one I will glory: but on my own behalf I will not glory, except in [my] weaknesses.

6 For if I should desire to glory, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he sees me [to be], or hears from me.

7 And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted too much, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted too much.

8 Concerning this thing I implored the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for [my] power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions and distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.

11 I have become foolish: you{+} compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you{+}: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you{+} in all patience, both by signs and wonders, and mighty works.

13 For what is there in which you{+} were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except [it is] that I myself was not a burden to you{+}? Forgive me this wrong.

14 Look, this is the third time I am ready to come to you{+}; and I will not be a burden to you{+}: for I don't seek yours{+}, but you{+}: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15 And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your{+} souls. If I love you{+} more abundantly, am I loved the less?

16 But let it be so, I did not myself burden you{+}; but, being crafty, I caught you{+} with guile.

17 Did I take advantage of you{+} by any one of them whom I have sent to you{+}?

18 I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you{+}? Did we not walk in the same spirit? [Did we] not [walk] in the same steps?

19 You{+} think all this time that we are excusing ourselves to you{+}. In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, [are] for your{+} edifying.

20 For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you{+} not such as I want, and should myself be found of you{+} such as you{+} do not want; lest by any means [there should be] strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;

21 lest again when I come my God should humble me before you{+}, and I should mourn for many of those who have sinned before, and didn't repent of the impurity and fornication and sexual immorality in which they participated.