1It is necessary to boast, but it is not beneficial, for I myself come to visions and revelations of Our Lord. 2I knew a man in The Messiah more than 14 years ago, whether in the body or without the body, I do not know, God himself knows, who was snatched up unto the third Heaven. 3And I knew this man, if in a body or if without the body, I do not know, God himself knows, 4Who was snatched up to Paradise and heard words that are unspeakable, because it is not authorized for a man to speak them. 5Concerning this man I shall glory, but concerning myself I shall not glory, except only in sufferings. 6For if I have wished to boast, I have not been misbehaving, for I speak the truth; but I abstain, lest a man think of me more than what he sees in me and hears from me.

7Lest I be lifted up by the abundance of revelations, a thorn for my flesh was handed over to me, an Angel of Satan to buffet me, lest I be lifted up. 8And I begged of my Lord concerning this three times, to remove it from me. 9And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” I shall therefore joyfully boast in my sufferings, that the power of The Messiah may rest upon me. 10Because of this, I am pleased with suffering, with disgrace, with distress, with persecution, with imprisonment, which is for the person of The Messiah, for when I am weak, then I am strong.

11Behold, I was stupid in my boasting, because you compelled me, for you were indebted to testify for me because I lacked nothing of those Apostles who greatly excelled, even though I was nothing. 12I performed the signs of an Apostle among you with all patience and with heroic deeds, with wonders and miracles. 13For what did you lack of other churches, except only in this, that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrongdoing!

14Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I shall not be a burden to you, because I do not seek yours, but you; for children ought not lay up treasure for the parents but the parents for their children. 15But I cheerfully also shall spend and I would even give up my person for the sake of your souls, even though, the more I love you, the less you love me. 16And perhaps I was not a burden to you, but as a crafty man I robbed you by treachery. 17Did I greedily desire what was yours by the agency of another man whom I sent to you? 18When I asked Titus and sent the brethren with him, was Titus greedily desiring what was yours? Did we not walk in the same spirit and in the same steps?

19Do you again think that we make excuses to you? We speak before God in The Messiah, and all these things, my beloved, are for your edification. 20For I fear lest I come to you and shall not find you as I like, and I may be found by you also as you do not like, lest there be fighting, envy, rage, contention, slander, murmuring, insolence and tumult, 21Lest when I come to you, my God would humble me and I would grieve over many who have sinned and have not returned from defilement, from fornication and from lewdness which they have practiced.