1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord - Kurios. 2I knew a man in Moshiach [Messiah] above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God-The Father knows;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God-The Father knows;) 4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in my infirmities. 6For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but [now] I refrain (restrain; refrein from acting), lest any man should think of me above that which he sees me [to be], or [that] he hears of me.

7And 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 [the adversary] to buffet (to strike with a clenched fist) me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8For this thing I besought the Lord - Kurios thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for youⁱ: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Moshiach [Messiah] may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Moshiach [Messiah]'s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

11I am become a fool in glorying; you^2f have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very most important apostles, though I be nothing. 12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 13For what is it wherein you^2f were inferior to other churches, except [it be] that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

14Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome 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. 15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 16But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with deceit. 17Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? 18I desired Titus [nurse], and with [him] I sent a brother. Did Titus [nurse] make a gain of you? walked we not in the same Spirit [Ruach]? [walked we] not in the same steps?

19Again, think you^2f that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God-The Father in Moshiach [Messiah]: but [we do] all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 20For 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 you^2f would not: lest [there be] debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 21[And] lest, when I come again, my God-The Father 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 (being lustful, loose or lewd; promoting lustful desires in others) which they have committed.