1
It isnotexpedient for medoubtless to glory*. I will come[a]tovisionsandrevelations of the Lord.
2
I knew a maninChristabovefourteenyearsago,* (whether in the body, I cannottell; or whetherout of the body, I cannottell: Godknoweth;) such an one caught upto the thirdheaven.
3
And I knewsuch a man,* (whether in the body,orout of the body, I cannottell: Godknoweth;)
4
How that he was caught upintoparadise,andheardunspeakablewords,which it isnotlawful[b] for a man to utter.
5
Of such an one will I glory: yetofmyself I willnotglory, butinmineinfirmities.
6
Forthough I would desire to glory, I shallnotbe a fool;for I will say the truth:but now I forbear, lest any man should thinkofmeabove that which he seethme to be, or that he hearethof*me.
7
Andlest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satantobuffetme,lest I should be exalted above measure.
8
For this thing I besought the Lordthrice,that it might departfromme.
9
And he said unto me,Mygrace is sufficient for thee:formystrength is made perfectinweakness. Most gladlytherefore will Irathergloryinmyinfirmities,that the power of Christ may restuponme.
10
Therefore I take pleasureininfirmities,inreproaches,innecessities,inpersecutions,indistressesforChrist'ssake:forwhen I am weak, thenam I strong.
11
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelledme:forIought to have been commendedofyou:for in nothing am I behind the very chiefestapostles*, though I benothing.
12
Truly the signs of an apostle were wroughtamongyouinallpatience,insigns,andwonders,and mighty deeds.
13
Forwhat is itwherein ye were inferiortootherchurches,except it be thatImyselfwasnotburdensome to you?forgivemethiswrong.
14
Behold, the third time I amready to cometoyou;and I willnot be burdensome to you:for I seeknotyours,butyou:for the childrenoughtnot to lay up for the parents,but the parents for the children.
15
AndI will very gladlyspendand be spentforyou*;[c]though the more abundantly I loveyou, the less I be loved.
16
But be it so, Ididnotburdenyou:nevertheless,beingcrafty, I caughtyou with guile.
17
Did I make a gain* of youbyany of themwhom I sentuntoyou?
18
I desiredTitus,and with him I sent a brother.Did*Titus make a gain of you? walked wenot in the samespirit? walked we not in the samesteps?
19
Again, think yethat we excuse ourselves unto you? we speakbeforeGodinChrist:but we do all things, dearly beloved,foryouredifying.
20
For I fear, lest*, when I come, I shallnotfindyou such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye wouldnot:lestthere be debates,envyings,wraths,strifes,backbitings,whisperings,swellings,tumults:
21
And lest, when I comeagain,myGod will humblemeamongyou,and that I shall bewailmanywhich have sinned already, andhavenotrepentedof the uncleannessandfornicationandlasciviousnesswhich they have committed.