¹ It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

² I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

³ And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

⁴ How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

⁵ Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

⁶ For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

⁷ And lest 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 Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

⁸ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

¹¹ I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

¹² Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

¹³ For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

¹⁴ Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

¹⁵ And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

¹⁶ But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

¹⁷ Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

¹⁸ I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

¹⁹ Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

²⁰ For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

²¹ And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

---

¹ It is ^G4851 not ^G3756 expedient ^G4851 for me ^G3427 doubtless ^G1211 to glory. ^{G2744 G1063} I will come ^G2064 to ^G1519 visions ^G3701 and ^G2532 revelations ^G602 of the Lord. ^G2962

² I knew ^G1492 a man ^G444 in ^G1722 Christ ^G5547 above ^G4253 fourteen ^G1180 years ^G2094 ago, ^G4253 (whether ^G1535 in ^G1722 the body, ^G4983 I cannot ^G3756 tell; ^G1492 or whether ^G1535 out ^G1622 of the body, ^G4983 I cannot ^G3756 tell: ^G1492 God ^G2316 knoweth;) ^G1492 such an one ^G5108 caught up ^G726 to ^G2193 the third ^G5154 heaven. ^G3772

³ And ^G2532 I knew ^G1492 such ^G5108 a man, ^G444 (whether ^G1535 in ^G1722 the body, ^G4983 or ^G1535 out ^G1622 of the body, ^G4983 I cannot ^G3756 tell: ^G1492 God ^G2316 knoweth;) ^G1492

⁴ How that ^G3754 he was caught up ^G726 into ^G1519 paradise, ^G3857 and ^G2532 heard ^G191 unspeakable ^G731 words, ^G4487 which ^G3739 it is ^G1832 not ^G3756 lawful ^G1832 for a man ^G444 to utter. ^G2980

⁵ Of ^G5228 such an one ^G5108 will I glory: ^G2744 yet ^G1161 of ^G5228 myself ^G1683 I will ^G2744 not ^G3756 glory, ^G2744 but ^G1508 in ^G1722 mine ^G3450 infirmities. ^G769

⁶ For ^G1063 though ^G1437 I would desire ^G2309 to glory, ^G2744 I shall ^G2071 not ^G3756 be ^G2071 a fool; ^G878 for ^G1063 I will say ^G2046 the truth: ^G225 but ^G1161 now I forbear, ^G5339 lest ^G3361 any man ^G5100 should think ^G3049 of ^G1519 me ^G1691 above ^G5228 that which ^G3739 he seeth ^G991 me ^G3165 to be, or ^G2228 that he heareth ^G191 of ^{G5100 G1537} me. ^G1700

⁷ And ^G2532 lest ^G3363 I should be exalted above measure ^G5229 through the abundance ^G5236 of the revelations, ^G602 there was given ^G1325 to me ^G3427 a thorn ^G4647 in the flesh, ^G4561 the messenger ^G32 of Satan ^G4566 to ^G2443 buffet ^G2852 me, ^G3165 lest ^G3363 I should be exalted above measure. ^G5229

⁸ For ^G5228 this thing ^G5127 I besought ^G3870 the Lord ^G2962 thrice, ^G5151 that ^G2443 it might depart ^G868 from ^G575 me. ^G1700

⁹ And ^G2532 he said ^G2046 unto me, ^G3427 My ^G3450 grace ^G5485 is sufficient ^G714 for thee: ^G4671 for ^G1063 my ^G3450 strength ^G1411 is made perfect ^G5048 in ^G1722 weakness. ^G769 Most gladly ^G2236 therefore ^G3767 will I ^G2744 rather ^G3123 glory ^G2744 in ^G1722 my ^G3450 infirmities, ^G769 that ^G2443 the power ^G1411 of Christ ^G5547 may rest ^G1981 upon ^G1909 me. ^G1691

¹⁰ Therefore ^G1352 I take pleasure ^G2106 in ^G1722 infirmities, ^G769 in ^G1722 reproaches, ^G5196 in ^G1722 necessities, ^G318 in ^G1722 persecutions, ^G1375 in ^G1722 distresses ^G4730 for ^G5228 Christ's ^G5547 sake: ^G5228 for ^G1063 when ^G3752 I am weak, ^G770 then ^G5119 am ^G1510 I strong. ^G1415

¹¹ I am become ^G1096 a fool ^G878 in glorying; ^G2744 ye ^G5210 have compelled ^G315 me: ^G3165 for ^G1063 I ^G1473 ought ^G3784 to have been commended ^G4921 of ^G5259 you: ^G5216 for ^G1063 in nothing ^G3762 am I behind ^G5302 the very chiefest ^G3029 apostles, ^{G652 G5228} though ^G1499 I be ^G1510 nothing. ^G3762

¹² Truly ^G3303 the signs ^G4592 of an apostle ^G652 were wrought ^G2716 among ^G1722 you ^G5213 in ^G1722 all ^G3956 patience, ^G5281 in ^G1722 signs, ^G4592 and ^G2532 wonders, ^G5059 and ^G2532 mighty deeds. ^G1411

¹³ For ^G1063 what ^G5101 is it ^G2076 wherein ^G3739 ye were inferior ^G2274 to ^G5228 other ^G3062 churches, ^G1577 except ^G1508 it be that ^G3754 I ^G1473 myself ^G846 was ^G2655 not ^G3756 burdensome ^G2655 to you? ^G5216 forgive ^G5483 me ^G3427 this ^G5026 wrong. ^G93

¹⁴ Behold, ^G2400 the third time ^G5154 I am ^G2192 ready ^G2093 to come ^G2064 to ^G4314 you; ^G5209 and ^G2532 I will ^G2655 not ^G3756 be burdensome ^G2655 to you: ^G5216 for ^G1063 I seek ^G2212 not ^G3756 yours, ^G5216 but ^G235 you: ^G5209 for ^G1063 the children ^G5043 ought ^G3784 not ^G3756 to lay up ^G2343 for the parents, ^G1118 but ^G235 the parents ^G1118 for the children. ^G5043

¹⁵ And ^G1161 I ^G1473 will very gladly ^G2236 spend ^G1159 and ^G2532 be spent ^G1550 for ^G5228 you; ^{G5590 G5216} though ^G1499 the more abundantly ^G4056 I love ^G25 you, ^G5209 the less ^G2276 I be loved. ^G25

¹⁶ But ^G1161 be it so, ^G2077 I ^G1473 did ^G2599 not ^G3756 burden ^G2599 you: ^G5209 nevertheless, ^G235 being ^G5225 crafty, ^G3835 I caught ^G2983 you ^G5209 with guile. ^G1388

¹⁷ Did I make a gain ^{G4122 G3361} of you ^G5209 by ^G1223 any ^G5100 of them ^G846 whom ^G3739 I sent ^G649 unto ^G4314 you? ^G5209

¹⁸ I desired ^G3870 Titus, ^G5103 and ^G2532 with him I sent ^G4882 a brother. ^G80 Did ^{G4122 G3387} Titus ^G5103 make a gain ^G4122 of you? ^G5209 walked we ^G4043 not ^G3756 in the same ^G846 spirit? ^G4151 walked we not ^G3756 in the same ^G846 steps? ^G2487

¹⁹ Again, ^G3825 think ye ^G1380 that ^G3754 we excuse ourselves ^G626 unto you? ^G5213 we speak ^G2980 before ^G2714 God ^G2316 in ^G1722 Christ: ^G5547 but ^G1161 we do all things, ^G3956 dearly beloved, ^G27 for ^G5228 your ^G5216 edifying. ^G3619

²⁰ For ^G1063 I fear, ^G5399 lest, ^{G3381 G4458} when I come, ^G2064 I shall ^G2147 not ^G3756 find ^G2147 you ^G5209 such as ^G3634 I would, ^G2309 and that I ^G2504 shall be found ^G2147 unto you ^G5213 such as ^G3634 ye would ^G2309 not: ^G3756 lest ^{G3381 G4458} there be debates, ^G2054 envyings, ^G2205 wraths, ^G2372 strifes, ^G2052 backbitings, ^G2636 whisperings, ^G5587 swellings, ^G5450 tumults: ^G181

²¹ And lest, ^G3361 when I come ^G2064 again, ^G3825 my ^G3450 God ^G2316 will humble ^G5013 me ^G3165 among ^G4314 you, ^G5209 and ^G2532 that I shall bewail ^G3996 many ^G4183 which ^G3588 have sinned already, ^G4258 and ^G2532 have ^G3340 not ^G3361 repented ^G3340 of ^G1909 the uncleanness ^G167 and ^G2532 fornication ^G4202 and ^G2532 lasciviousness ^G766 which ^G3739 they have committed. ^G4238

---

¹ I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

² I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.

³ And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),

⁴ how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

⁵ On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in `my' weaknesses.

⁶ For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me `to be', or heareth from me.

⁷ And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch.

⁸ Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

⁹ And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for `my' power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

¹⁰ Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

¹¹ I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.

¹² Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.

¹³ For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except `it be' that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.

¹⁴ Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

¹⁵ And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

¹⁶ But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you?

¹⁸ I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? `walked we' not in the same steps?

¹⁹ Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, `are' for your edifying.

²⁰ For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means `there should be' strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;

²¹ lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed.

---

¹ To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

² I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago -- whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God hath known -- such an one being caught away unto the third heaven;

³ and I have known such a man -- whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God hath known, --

⁴ that he was caught away to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.

⁵ Of such an one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities,

⁶ for if I may wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for truth I will say; but I forebear, lest any one in regard to me may think anything above what he doth see me, or doth hear anything of me;

⁷ and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of the Adversary, that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted overmuch.

⁸ Concerning this thing thrice the Lord did I call upon, that it might depart from me,

⁹ and He said to me, `Sufficient for thee is My grace, for My power in infirmity is perfected;' most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may rest on me:

¹⁰ wherefore I am well pleased in infirmities, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses -- for Christ; for whenever I am infirm, then I am powerful;

¹¹ I have become a fool -- boasting; ye -- ye did compel me; for I ought by you to have been commended, for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles -- even if I am nothing.

¹² The signs, indeed, of the apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds,

¹³ for what is there in which ye were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this injustice!

¹⁴ Lo, a third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not be a burden to you, for I seek not yours, but you, for the children ought not for the parents to lay up, but the parents for the children,

¹⁵ and I most gladly will spend and be entirely spent for your souls, even if, more abundantly loving you, less I am loved.

¹⁶ And be it `so', I -- I did not burden you, but being crafty, with guile I did take you;

¹⁷ any one of those whom I have sent unto you -- by him did I take advantage of you?

¹⁸ I entreated Titus, and did send with `him' the brother; did Titus take advantage of you? in the same spirit did we not walk? -- did we not in the same steps?

¹⁹ Again, think ye that to you we are making defence? before God in Christ do we speak; and the all things, beloved, `are' for your up-building,

²⁰ for I fear lest, having come, not such as I wish I may find you, and I -- I may be found by you such as ye do not wish, lest there be strifes, envyings, wraths, revelries, evil-speakings, whisperings, puffings up, insurrections,

²¹ lest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may bewail many of those having sinned before, and not having reformed concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and lasciviousness, that they did practise.

---

¹ Well, it is not of profit to me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of [the] Lord.

² I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, (whether in [the] body I know not, or out of the body I know not, God knows;) such [a one] caught up to [the] third heaven.

³ And I know such a man, (whether in [the] body or out of the body I know not, God knows;)

⁴ that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter.

⁵ Of such [a one] I will boast, but of myself I will not boast, unless in my weaknesses.

⁶ For if I shall desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will say [the] truth; but I forbear, lest any one should think as to me above what he sees me [to be], or whatever he may hear of me.

⁷ And that I might not be exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted.

⁸ For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me.

⁹ And he said to me, My grace suffices thee; for [my] power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me.

¹⁰ Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.

¹¹ I have become a fool; *ye* have compelled me; for *I* ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing.

¹² The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, signs, and wonders, and works of power.

¹³ For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies, unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you? Forgive me this injury.

¹⁴ Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be in laziness a charge; for I do not seek yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

¹⁵ Now *I* shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls, if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved.

¹⁶ But be it so. *I* did not burden you, but being crafty I took you by guile.

¹⁷ Did I make gain of you by any of those whom I have sent to you?

¹⁸ I begged Titus, and sent the brother with [him]: did Titus at all make gain of you? have we not walked in the same spirit? [have we] not in the same steps?

¹⁹ Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up.

²⁰ For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish, and that *I* be found by you such as ye do not wish: lest [there might be] strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances;

²¹ lest my God should humble me as to you when I come again, and that I shall grieve over many of those who have sinned before, and have not repented as to the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practised.

---

¹ It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

² I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven.

³ I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don't know; God knows),

⁴ how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

⁵ On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

⁶ For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I forbear, so that no man may account of me above that which he sees in me, or hears from me.

⁷ By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted excessively.

⁸ Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

⁹ He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

¹¹ I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.

¹² Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.

¹³ For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.

¹⁴ Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

¹⁵ I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

¹⁶ But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.

¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you?

¹⁸ I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit? Didn't we walk in the same steps?

¹⁹ Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.

²⁰ For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;

²¹ that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.

---

¹ As it is necessary for me to take glory to myself, though it is not a good thing, I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

² I have knowledge of a man in Christ, fourteen years back (if he was in the body, or out of the body, I am not able to say, but God only), who was taken up to the third heaven.

³ And I have knowledge of such a man (if he was in the body, or out of the body, I am not able to say, but God only),

⁴ How he was taken up into Paradise, and words came to his ears which may not be said, and which man is not able to say.

⁵ On account of such a one I will have glory: for myself I will take no glory, but only in my feeble body.

⁶ For if I had a desire to take credit to myself, it would not be foolish, for I would be saying what is true: but I will not, for fear that I might seem to any man more than he sees me to be, or has word from me that I am.

⁷ And because the revelations were so very great, in order that I might not be overmuch lifted up, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, one sent from Satan to give me pain.

⁸ And about this thing I made request to the Lord three times that it might be taken away from me.

⁹ And he said to me, My grace is enough for you, for my power is made complete in what is feeble. Most gladly, then, will I take pride in my feeble body, so that the power of Christ may be on me.

¹⁰ So I take pleasure in being feeble, in unkind words, in needs, in cruel attacks, in troubles, on account of Christ: for when I am feeble, then am I strong.

¹¹ I have been forced by you to become foolish, though it was right for my praise to have come from you: for in no way was I less than the chief of the Apostles, though I am nothing.

¹² Truly the signs of an Apostle were done among you in quiet strength, with wonders and acts of power.

¹³ For what is there in which you were made less than the other churches, but in the one thing that I was not a trouble to you? Let me have forgiveness for this wrong.

¹⁴ This is now the third time that I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a trouble to you: my desire is for you, not for your property: for it is not the children's business to make store for their fathers, but the fathers for the children.

¹⁵ And I will gladly give all I have for your souls. If I have the more love for you, am I to be loved the less?

¹⁶ But let it be so, that I was not a trouble to you myself; but (someone may say) being false, I took you with deceit.

¹⁷ Did I make a profit out of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

¹⁸ I gave orders to Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus make any profit out of you? were we not guided by the same Spirit, in the same ways?

¹⁹ It may seem to you that all this time we have been attempting to put ourselves in the right; but we are saying these things before God in Christ. For all things, dear brothers, are for your profit.

²⁰ For I have a fear that, when I come, you may not be answering to my desire, and that I may not be answering to yours; that there may be fighting, hate, angry feeling, divisions, evil talk about others, secrets, thoughts of pride, outbursts against authority;

²¹ And that when I come again, my God may put me to shame among you, and I may have grief for those who have done wrong before and have had no regret for their unclean ways, and for the evil desires of the flesh to which they have given way.