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1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I don’t know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven. 3 I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don’t know; God knows), 4 how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. 6 For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I forbear, so that no man may account of me above that which he sees in me, or hears from me. 7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted excessively. 8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities,
in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then
am I strong. 11 I have become foolish in boasting. You
14 Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will
not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the
children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the
children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I
love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? 16 But be it so, I did not
myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception. 17 Did
I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you? 18 I
exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage
of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?
19 Again, do you
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