1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to
visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I 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.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the
body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable
words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory,
but in mine infirmities.
6 For 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.
7 And 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.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might
depart from me.
9 And 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.
10 Therefore 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.
11 I 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.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all
patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
13 For 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.
14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will
not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's but you: for
the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the
parents for the children.
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the
more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being
crafty, I caught you with guile.
17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
18 I 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?
19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak
before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved,
for your edifying.
20 For 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:
21 And 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.
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