The Vision of Paradise
BECAUSE boasting is not beneficial to me, I will now come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ over fourteen years ago caught up to the third heaven (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not: God knows);
3 And I knew such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knows):
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard words which cannot be spoken, which are not permitted for man to speak.
5 Of such a one will I boast: yet of myself I will not boast, if not in my weaknesses.
6 For though I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I would be speaking the truth, but now I forbear: lest any man should think of me more than that which he sees me to be, or that he hears from me.
Thorn in the Flesh
7 ¶ And lest I should become conceited through the surpassing greatness of the revelations: there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to beat me down, that I be not conceited.
8 On behalf of this I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And He said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you; for My power is accomplished in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may reside upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses; in insults; in troubles; in persecutions; and in distresses on behalf of Christ: for when I am weak, then am I empowered.
Signs of an Apostle
11 ¶ I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing, do I fall short of the very chief apostles, though I be nothing.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all endurance; in signs; and wonders; and powerful deeds.
13 For what is it, wherein you were inferior to other congregations? except it be that I myself was not a financial burden to you? forgive me this wrong!
Love for the Congregation
14 ¶ Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be financially burdensome to you: for I seek not what is yours, but you! For the children are not obligated to lay up financially for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 And I will very gladly spend and be expended on behalf of your souls; though the more I love you, the less I be loved.
16 And being so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty (as some claim), I caught you with deceit?
17 Did I make gain of you, by any of those whom I sent to you?
18 I encouraged Titus, and with him I sent a brother: did Titus make gain of you? did we not walk in the same spirit? did we not walk in the same steps?
19 Think you, that we defend ourselves to you again? we speak before God in Christ: but we do everything, dearly beloved, for your edification.
20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish; and that I shall be found to you, such as you not wish: and somehow there be debates, jealousy, anger, rivalries, backbitings, gossip, pride, disorder:
21 Lest, when I come again, God shall humiliate me among you; and that I shall mourn many which have already sinned, and have not repented of the uncleanness, sexual immorality and lasciviousness which they have committed.