1It is not expedient for me doubtless to
glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the
Lord.
2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years
ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether
out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such
an one caught up to the third heaven.
3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body,
or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4How that he was caught up into paradise, and
heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for
a man to utter.
5Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I
will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6For though I would desire to glory, I shall
not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I
forbear, lest any man should think of me above that
which he seeth me to
be, or that he
heareth of me.
7And lest I should be exalted above measure
through the abundance of the revelations, there was
given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of
Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above
measure.
8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,
that it might depart from me.
9And he said unto me, My
grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is
made perfect in weakness. Most gladly
therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,
in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in
distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak,
then am I strong.
11I am become a fool in glorying; ye have
compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of
you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest
apostles, though I be nothing.
12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought
among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders,
and mighty deeds.
13For what is it wherein ye were inferior to
other churches, except it
be that I myself was not burdensome to you?
forgive me this wrong.
14Behold, the third time I am ready to come
to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I
seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not
to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the
children.
15And I will very gladly spend and be spent
for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the
less I be loved.
16But be it so, I did not burden you:
nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
17Did I make a gain of you by any of them
whom I sent unto you?
18I desired Titus, and with him I
sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked
we not in the same spirit? walked
we not in the same steps?
19Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves
unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we
do all things, dearly beloved, for your
edifying.
20For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not
find you such as I would, and that I
shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there
be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes,
backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
21And lest,
when I come again, my God will humble me among you,
and that I
shall bewail many which have sinned already, and
have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication
and lasciviousness which they have committed.