Paul’s Revelation

1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord {Kyriou}. 2I know a man in Christ (the Anointed One) who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God {Theos} knows. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God {Theos} knows— 4was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were inexpressible, things that man is not permitted to tell.

Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace

5I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses. 6Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me, 7or because of these surpassingly great revelations.

So to keep me from becoming conceited,a I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger (angel) of Satan (adversary), to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord {Kyrion} to take it away from me. 9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power {dynamis} is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ (the Anointed One) may rest on me. 10That is why, for the sake of Christ (the Anointed One), I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

11I have become a fool, but you⁺ drove me to it. In fact, you⁺ should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you⁺ with great perseverance (endurance). 13In what way were you⁺ inferior to the other churches {ekklēsias}, except that I was not a burden to you⁺? Forgive me this wrong!

14See (Behold), I am ready to come to you⁺ a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your⁺ possessions, but you⁺. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15And for the sake of your⁺ souls {psychōn}, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love {agapōn} you⁺ more, will you love me less?

16Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you⁺; but crafty as I am, I caught you⁺ by trickery. 17Did I exploit you⁺ by anyone I sent you⁺? 18I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus (title of honor) exploit you⁺ in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit {Pneumati} and follow in the same footsteps \Did we not walk in the same Spirit? Not in the same footsteps?/?b

19Have you⁺ been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you⁺? We speak before God {Theou} in Christ (the Anointed One), and all of this, beloved {agapētoi}, is to build you⁺ up. 20For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you⁺ as I wish, and you⁺ may not find me as you⁺ wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. 21I am afraid that when I come again, my God {Theos} will humble me before you⁺, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity (uncleanness), sexual immorality {porneia}, and debauchery.