1It is not expedient for me no doubt to rejoice: for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2I know a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether he were in the body, I cannot tell, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth) which was taken up into the third heaven.
3And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth.)
4How that he was taken up into Paradise, and heard words which cannot be spoken, which are not possible for man to utter.
5Of such a man will I rejoice: of myself will I not rejoice, except it be of mine infirmities.
6For though I would rejoice, I should not be a fool, for I will say the truth: but I refrain, lest any man should think of me above that he seeth in me, or that he heareth of me.
7And lest I should be exalted out of measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given unto me a prick in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, because I should not be exalted out of 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 power is made perfect through weakness. Very gladly therefore will I rejoice rather in mine infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in anguish for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
11I was a fool to boast myself: ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I inferior unto the very chief Apostles, though I be nothing.
12The signs of an Apostle were wrought among you with all patience, with signs, and wonders and great works.
13For what is it, wherein ye were inferiors unto other Churches, except that I have not been slothful to your hindrance? forgive me this wrong.
14Behold, the third time I am ready to come unto you, and yet will I not be slothful to your hindrance: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the fathers, but the fathers for the children.
15And I will most gladly bestow, and will be bestowed for your souls: though the more I love you, the less I am loved.
16But be it that I charged you not: yet for as much as I was crafty, I took you with guile.
17Did I pill you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
18I have desired Titus, and with him I have sent a brother: did Titus pill you of any things? walked we not in the selfsame 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: and lest there be strife, envying, wrath, contentions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, and discord.
21I fear lest when I come again, my God abase me among you, and I shall bewail many of them which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness, and fornication, and wantonness which they have committed.