Paul’s Revelation

1It behooves me to glory, indeed it is not profitable, I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I knew a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I know not; whether out of the body, I know not, such a one having been caught up even to the third heaven. 3And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not; God knows, 4that he was caught up to Paradise, and heard unutterable words, which it is impossible for a man to speak.

Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace

5Concerning such a one I will glory: but concerning myself I will not glory, except in my infirmities. 6For if I shall wish to glory, I will not be a fool; for I speak the truth: but I fear, lest some one may consider with reference to me above what he sees me, or hears from me.

7And that I may not be exalted by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given unto me in the flesh, the messenger of Satan that he may buffet me, in order that I may not be exalted. 8Three times I called on the Lord concerning this, that it may depart from me. 9And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most delightfully I will glory the more in my infirmities, in order that the power of Christ may abide on me. 10Therefore I delight in infirmities, in insults, in difficulties, in persecutions, and in tight places, for Christ's sake: for when I am without strength, then I am dynamite.

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

11I have become a fool: you did compel me. For I ought to be commended by you: for I am not inferior to the very chief of the apostles, if indeed I am nothing. 12For indeed the signs of the apostleship are wrought in me in all patience, in miracles and in wonders and in dynamites. 13For what is that in which you are inferior to other churches, except that I did not burden you? forgive me this wrong.

14Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not spare: for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasures for the parents, but the parents for the children, 15But I will most delightfully spend and be spent for your souls. If the more abundantly I love you am I loved the less? 16But let it he so, I did not burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17Which one of those whom I sent unto you, did I fleece you through him? 18I called Titus, and sent the brother along with him: whether did Titus defraud you? did we not walk by the same Spirit? did we not in the same tracks?

19For a long time you were thinking that I am apologizing to you. We speak before God in Christ; but all things, beloved, are for your edification. 20For I fear lest, having come, I may not find you as I wish, and may not be found by you as you wish; lest perhaps strife, jealousy, animosities, selfseekings, calumniations, eavesdroppings, inflations, outfallings, are among you; 21lest, I again having come, my God will humble me before you, and I will mourn over many of those having previously committed sins, and not having repented over the uncleanness and the fornication and debauchery which they have done.