1 It is necessary to boast; it is not profitable indeed, but I will go to visions and revelations of [the] Lord. VP
2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago—whether in [the] body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know; God knows—such a man, having been caught up to [the] third heaven. VP
3 And I know such a man—whether in [the] body or apart from the body, I do not know; God knows— VP
4 that he was caught up into Paradise, and he heard inexpressible words, not being permitted to man to speak. VP
5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in the weaknesses. VP
6 For if I should want to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking [the] truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should reckon to me above what he sees in me or anything he hears of me, VP
7 and the surpassingness of the revelations. Therefore, so that I should not be over-exalted, there was given to me a thorn in [my] flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, so that I should not be over-exalted. VP
8 Three times I entreated the Lord for this, that it might depart from me. VP
9 And He has said to me, “My grace suffices for you, for the power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, rather, I will boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. VP
10 Therefore I am well pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions and difficulties—for Christ; for when I may be weak, then I am powerful. VP
11 I have become a fool; you⁺ compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you⁺. For in nothing was I lacking [to] the “most eminent apostles,” even if I am nothing. VP
12 Indeed, the signs of the apostle were performed among you⁺ in all perseverance, both in signs and wonders and miracles. VP
13 For [in] what is it that you⁺ were inferior beyond the rest [of] [the] churches, except that I myself did not burden you⁺? Forgive me this wrong! VP
14 Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you⁺, and I will not be a burden. For I do not seek what [is] yours⁺, but you⁺. For the children ought not to treasure up for the parents, but the parents for the children. VP
15 Now I will spend most gladly, and will be utterly spent for your⁺ souls. If loving you⁺ more abundantly, am I loved less? VP
16 But be it so, I did not burden you⁺; but being crafty, I took you⁺ by trickery. VP
17 By any of whom I have sent to you⁺, did I take advantage of you⁺ by him? VP
18 I exhorted Titus [to go], and I sent with [him] the brother. Did Titus take advantage of you⁺? Did we not walk in the same Spirit? Not in the same footsteps? VP
19 Do you⁺ think all along that we are making a defense to you⁺? We speak in Christ before God, and all things, beloved, for your⁺ edification. VP
20 For I fear lest somehow, having come, I might not find you⁺ such as I wish, and I might be found by you⁺ such as you⁺ do not wish; lest somehow [there is] strife, jealousy, rage, rivalries, slander, gossip, conceit, disorder; VP
21 lest [on] my having come again, my God should humble me as to you⁺, and I should mourn many of those having before sinned and not having repented of the impurity and sexual immorality and sensuality that they have practiced. VP