Dual Panel1Boasting<2744> is necessary<1163>, though<3303> it is not profitable<4851>; but I will go<2064> on to visions<3701> and revelations<602> of the Lord<2962>.
2I know<3609> a man<444> in Christ<5547> who fourteen<1180> years<2094> ago<4253>--whether<1535> in the body<4983> I do not know<3609>, or<1535> out of the body<4983> I do not know<3609>, God<2316> knows<3609>--such<5108> a man<5108> was caught<726> up to the third<5154> heaven<3772>.
3And I know<3609> how<3609> such<5108> a man<444>--whether<1535> in the body<4983> or<1535> apart<5565> from the body<4983> I do not know<3609>, God<2316> knows<3609>--
4was caught<726> up into Paradise<3857> and heard<191> inexpressible<731> words<4487>, which<3739> a man<444> is not permitted<1832> to speak<2980>.
5On behalf<5228> of such<5108> a man<5108> I will boast<2744>; but on my own<1683> behalf<5228> I will not boast<2744>, except<1508> in regard to my weaknesses<769>.
6For if<1437> I do wish<2309> to boast<2744> I will not be foolish<878>, for I will be speaking<3004> the truth<225>; but I refrain<5339> from this, so<3361> that no<3361> one<5100> will credit<3049> me with more<5228> than<5228> he sees<991> in me or<2228> hears<191> from me.
7Because of the surpassing<5236> greatness<5236> of the revelations<602>, for this<1352> reason<1352>, to keep<3361> me from exalting<5229> myself, there was given<1325> me a thorn<4647> in the flesh<4561>, a messenger<32> of Satan<4567> to torment<2852> me--to keep<3361> me from exalting<5229> myself!
8Concerning<5228> this<3778> I implored<3870> the Lord<2962> three<5151> times<5151> that it might leave<868> me.
9And He has said<3004> to me,
10Therefore<1352> I am<2106> well<2106> content<2106> with weaknesses<769>, with insults<5196>, with distresses<318>, with persecutions<1375>, with difficulties<4730>, for Christ's<5547> sake<5228>; for when<3752> I am<770> weak<770>, then<5119> I am<1510> strong<1415>.
11I have become<1096> foolish<878>; you yourselves<4771> compelled<315> me. Actually<1063> I should<3784> have been commended<4921> by you, for in no<3762> respect<3762> was I inferior<5302> to the most<5244> eminent<5244> apostles<652>, even<2532> though<1487> I am<1510> a nobody<3762>.
12The signs<4592> of a true apostle<652> were performed<2716> among<1722> you with all<3956> perseverance<5281>, by signs<4592> and wonders<5059> and miracles<1411>.
13For in what<5101> respect were you treated<2274> as inferior<2274> to the rest<3062> of the churches<1577>, except<1508> that I myself<846> did not become a burden<2655> to you? Forgive<5483> me this<3778> wrong<93>!
14Here<2400> for this<3778> third<5154> time<5154> I am<2192> ready<2093> to come<2064> to you, and I will not be a burden<2655> to you; for I do not seek<2212> what is yours<4771>, but you; for children<5043> are not responsible<3784> to save<2343> up for their parents<1118>, but parents<1118> for their children<5043>.
15I will most<2234> gladly<2234> spend<1159> and be expended<1550> for your souls<5590>. If<1487> I love<25> you more<4057>, am I to be loved<25> less<2269>?
16But be that as it may, I did not burden<2599> you myself<1473>; nevertheless<235>, crafty<3835> fellow that I am, I took<2983> you in by deceit<1388>.
17Certainly I have not taken<4122> advantage<4122> of you through<1223> any<5100> of those whom<3739> I have sent<649> to you, have I?
18I urged<3870> Titus<5103> to go, and I sent<4882> the brother<80> with him. Titus<5103> did not take<4122> any<4122> advantage<4122> of you, did he? Did we not conduct<4043> ourselves<4043> in the same<846> spirit<4151> and walk in the same<846> steps<2487>?
19All<3819> this<3819> time<3819> you have been thinking<1380> that we are defending<626> ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight<2713> of God<2316> that we have been speaking<2980> in Christ<5547>; and all<3956> for your upbuilding<3619>, beloved<27>.
20For I am<5399> afraid<5399> that perhaps<4458> when I come<2064> I may find<2147> you to be not what<3634> I wish<2309> and may be found<2147> by you to be not what<3634> you wish<2309>; that perhaps<4458> there will be strife<2054>, jealousy<2205>, angry<2372> tempers<2372>, disputes<2052>, slanders<2636>, gossip<5587>, arrogance<5450>, disturbances<181>;
21I am afraid that when I come<2064> again<3825> my God<2316> may humiliate<5013> me before<4314> you, and I may mourn<3996> over many<4183> of those<3588> who have sinned<4258> in the past<4258> and not repented<3340> of the impurity<167>, immorality<4202> and sensuality<766> which<3739> they have practiced<4238>.