| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows-- |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit? |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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