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A Vision of Paradise

1It is necessary to boast, though it is not profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations[†]of the Lord.2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.3And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—4was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.5On behalf of such a man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in weaknesses.6For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrainfrom this, so that no one will consider me beyond what he seesin me or hears from me.

A Thorn in the Flesh

7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to[†]torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!8Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me.9And He has said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with[†]insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Concern for the Corinthian Church

11I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the[†]most-eminent apostles, even if I am nothing.12The[†]signs[†]of a true apostle were worked out among you with all perseverance, by[†]signs and wonders and[†]miracles.13For in what respect were you treated as less than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you?[†]Forgive me this wrong!

14Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you. For children ought not to save up fortheir parents, but parents fortheir children.15So I will most gladly spend and be fully spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?16But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself. Nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.17Have I taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you?18I encouraged Titusto go, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did we not walk[†]in the same spirit—in the very same steps?

19All this time[†]you think we are defending ourselves to you. We speak in Christ in the sight of God. And allthese things, beloved, are for your building up.20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhapsthere will be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances.21I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality which they have practiced.