1Boasting is not helpful, but I will go on to tell about visions and revelations from the Lord.
2I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago, was caught up to the third heaven. I don't know if this happened in his body or apart from his body; God knows.
3I know that this man (whether in his body or out of his body, I don’t know; God knows),
4was caught up into Paradise and heard words that are so sacred they cannot be spoken by humans.
5I will boast about a person like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
6If I wanted to boast, I wouldn't be foolish, because I would be telling the truth. But I am holding back, so no one will think more of me than what they see in me or hear from me.
7Because of the extraordinarily great revelations, and to keep me from becoming too arrogant, I was given a thorn in my flesh—a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming too arrogant.
8I begged the Lord three times to take it away from me.
9But he told me, “My grace is all you need, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will be very happy to boast about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power can rest on me.
10Therefore, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, and in difficulties for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11I have acted foolishly in boasting, but you forced me to. You should have been the ones commending me, because I am not inferior to the 'super apostles' in any way, even though I am nothing.
12The signs of an apostle—patient endurance, signs, wonders, and miracles—were certainly performed among you.
13How were you treated worse than other churches, except that I myself was not a financial burden to you? Please forgive me for this wrong.
14Look, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I won't be a burden to you. I'm not looking for your money, but for you. Children shouldn't have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15I will gladly spend all I have and even spend myself for the sake of your souls. If I love you more and more, does that mean you love me less?
16But even if that's true, I didn't burden you myself. However, being clever, I caught you with a trick.
17Did I take advantage of you through any of the people I sent to you?
18I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Didn’t we act with the same spirit? Didn’t we follow in the same footsteps?
19Are you thinking again that we are trying to defend ourselves to you? We speak in Christ in the sight of God. But everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up.
20Because I'm afraid that when I come, I might find you not as I'd like, and you might find me not as you'd like. I'm afraid there will be arguments, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
21I'm also afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be sad over many of those who have sinned before now and have not changed their ways from the impurity, sexual immorality, and shameful lust they committed.