1Though it is not profitable for me to boast, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I knew a man in Christ who fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) was caught up to the third heaven. 3And I know that this man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) 4Was caught up into paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5Of such a man I will boast: yet of myself I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6If I should desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will speak the truth: but I refrain, lest any man should think of me beyond that which he sees in me, or hears from me. 7And lest I should exalt myself beyond measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted beyond measure. 8I begged the Lord thrice, that this might depart from me. 9And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly will I boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore, for Christ's sake, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in distresses: for when I am weak, then I am strong. 11I have made a fool of myself; you have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing am I behind these superlative apostles, though I am nothing. 12The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all patience, by signs, and wonders, and miracles. 13For in what way were you less favoured than other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. 14Behold, for the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I do not seek what is yours, but you: for the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I to be loved the less? 16But be that as it may, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18I urged Titus to go, and with him I sent the brother. Did Titus take advantage of you? did we not act in the same spirit and walk in the same steps? 19All this time have you been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your strengthening. 20For I fear that when I come, I shall not find you as I wish, and you shall not find me to be as you wish; lest perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of wrath, rivalries, slander, gossip, conceit, disorder: 21And I fear that, when I come again, my God may humble me before you, and I shall mourn over many who have sinned and have not repented of the impurity and sexual sin and licentiousness which they have committed.