Paul’s Revelation

1It is necessary to boast; it is not profitable indeed,† but I will go to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I 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. 3And I know such a man—whether in the body or apart from† the body, I do not know; God knows— 4that he was caught up into Paradise,† and he heard inexpressible words, not being permitted to man to speak.

Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace

5On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in the weaknesses. 6For 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, 7and the surpassingness of the revelations.

Therefore, so that I should not be over-exalted,† a thorn in my flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, so that I should not be over-exalted. 8Three times I entreated the Lord for this, that it might depart from me. 9And 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. 10Therefore 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.

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

11I 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. 12Indeed, the signs of the apostle were performed among you⁺ in all perseverance, both in signs and wonders and miracles. 13For 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!

14Behold, 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. 15Now I will spend most gladly, and will be utterly spent for your⁺ souls.† If loving you⁺ more abundantly, am I loved less?

16But be it so, I did not burden you⁺; but being crafty, I took you⁺ by trickery. 17By any of whom I have sent to you⁺, did I take advantage of you⁺ by him? 18I 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?†

19Do 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. 20For 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; 21lest 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.

Footnotes:

1 BYZ and TR Surely it is not beneficial for me to boast,
3 BYZ and TR out of
4 See Luke 23:43 and Revelation 2:7
7 Some translators end the previous paragraph after verse 6, and begin verse 7 with So to keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations,
11 BYZ and TR include in my boasting.
14 BYZ and TR include to you.
15 BYZ and TR souls, even if the more I love you, the less I am loved.
18 Or Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?
19 BYZ and TR Do you still think
20 NA, F35, SBL, and WH quarreling
20 BYZ and TR jealousies