## A Vision of Paradise 

###### 1
It is necessary to boast, though it is not profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 

###### 2
I know a man in Christ who 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 was caught up to the third heaven. 

###### 3
And I know how such a man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows-- 

###### 4
was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 

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

###### 6
For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain _from this_, so that no one will consider me beyond what he sees _in_ me or hears from me. 

## A Thorn in the Flesh 

###### 7
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! 

###### 8
Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. 

###### 9
And He has said to me, **"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."** Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 

###### 10
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong. 

## Concern for the Corinthian Church 

###### 11
I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most-eminent apostles, even if I am nothing. 

###### 12
The signs of a true apostle were worked out among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. 

###### 13
For in what respect were you treated as less than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! 

###### 14
Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you. For children ought not to save up for _their_ parents, but parents for _their_ children. 

###### 15
So I will most gladly spend and be fully spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 

###### 16
But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself. Nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit. 

###### 17
Have I taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you? 

###### 18
I encouraged Titus _to go_, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit--in the very same steps? 

###### 19
All this time you think we are defending ourselves to you. We speak in Christ in the sight of God. And all _these_ things, beloved, are for your building up. 

###### 20
For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps _there will be_ strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances. 

###### 21
_I am afraid that_ when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality which they have practiced.